Public servants’ salary hikes at risk if government programme changes: Rajitha

Colombo, September 1 (Daily Mirror) - If the current government programme changes at any point, there is a clear risk of losing the salary increases scheduled for all public servants starting January 1, 2025. Therefore, public servants should be wise in casting their postal votes at the upcoming Presidential election, Parliamentarian Rajitha Senaratne said.

Addressing a special media briefing at President Ranil Wickramasinghe's political office on Flower Road, Colombo, the Parliamentarian said the results of the economic programme carried out by the President during the last two years have also been given to the public servants.

In 2022, when he assumed the post of Prime Minister, the President had said in his statement that he will build the country. Today he has shown this in action, Dr. Senaratne said.
 
"There are more than 1.4 million employees in the government service. More than 700,000 are using their postal votes this year. A historic decision was taken at the last Cabinet meeting related to doubling the basic salary and increasing the salary of the public service. Accordingly, a decision has been taken by the Cabinet on how to increase the salaries of the public service from January 1, 2025," Senaratne said.

Accordingly, the salary for the Grade III of the Office Employees' Service will be increased by Rs.5, 450, the Grade II by Rs.8, 760, the Grade I by Rs.10, 950, and the special grade by Rs.13, 980.
The salary for the Grade III of the Drivers’ Service will be increased by Rs.6, 960, the Grade II by Rs.9, 990, the Grade I by Rs.13, 020, and the special grade by Rs.16, 340.

• The salary for the Grade III of the Samurdhi Development Officer will be increased by Rs.8, 340, the Grade II by Rs.11, 690, and the Grade I by Rs.15, 685.
• The salary for the Grade III of the Management Service Officer/Management Assistant will be increased by Rs.10, 140, the Grade II by Rs.13, 490, and the Grade I by Rs.17, 550.
• The salary for the Grade III of the Development Officer will be increased by Rs.12, 710, the Grade II by Rs.17, 820, and the Grade I by Rs.25, 150.
• The salary for the Public Health Inspector and Public Health Midwives- Grade III will be increased by Rs.12, 885, the Grade II by Rs.17, 945, and the Grade I by Rs.25, 275.
• The salary for the Grade III of the Pharmacists’ and Radiographers’ services will be increased by Rs.13, 280, the Grade II by Rs.18, 310, and the Grade I by Rs.25, 720.
• The salary for the Grade III of the Nursing Officers will be increased by Rs.13, 725, the Grade II by Rs.18, 835, and the Grade I by Rs.26, 165. 
• The salary for the Grade III of the Principal’s Service will be increased by Rs.23, 425, the Grade II by Rs.29, 935 and the Grade I by Rs.39, 595.

National College of Education teachers in the Teaching Service will receive a salary increase of Rs.17, 480 rupees. A salary increase of Rs.19, 055 has been proposed for graduate teachers, Rs.20, 425 for the Grade II, and Rs.38, 020 for the Grade I.

A Police Constable will receive a salary increase of Rs.10, 704. The salary increase for a Police Sergeant is Rs.13, 210. The salary of a Sub-Inspector will be increased by Rs.14, 050, the salary of an Inspector of Police will increase by Rs.18, 290, and the salary of a Chief Inspector will increase by Rs.23, 685. 

The salary for the Grade III of the Grama Niladhari will be increased by Rs.11, 340, the Grade II by Rs. 14, 690, and the Grade I by Rs.18, 750. The salary of an Administrative GN officer will increase by Rs.23, 575. 

The salary for Assistant Secretary, Assistant Director, Accountant, Assistant Divisional Secretary, and Assistant Commissioner will increase by Rs.28, 885. The starting salary for Deputy Director and Deputy Commissioner will increase by Rs43, 865. The salary for the posts of Divisional Secretary, Director, Commissioner, and Senior Assistant Secretary will increase by Rs.57, 545. 

The salary for Grade III doctors will increase by Rs.35, 560. The salary of the Grade II doctors will increase by Rs.39, 575. The salary of the Grade I doctors will increase by Rs.53, 075, and the salary of Additional Secretary and Specialist Doctor will increase by Rs.70, 200.

In line with this, steps have been taken to double all annual salary increments for public sector employees. Additionally, salary increases have been arranged for state institutions, corporations, statutory bodies, universities, and the Tri Forces, effective from January 1st next year. Such substantial salary increments have never been granted to public sector employees before.