Election Commission slams salary hike as candidate promotion tactic

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

The Election Commission has criticized the government’s decision to increase public sector employee salaries, labeling it a clear tactic to promote a candidate.  

Commenting on the move, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake told Daily Mirror that the government should have not done it at this moment as the country is gearing for a presidential election.  

He also questioned why the government delayed the announcement, suggesting that the decision was made purely to target the upcoming election.  

The government’s decision to increase public service salaries has come under heavy criticism, with election monitors suggesting it is an attempt to exert influence.  

The PAFFREL in a letter addressed to the Election Commission Chairman said the move is an attempt to exert influence.   

In the letter, the PAFFREL recalled how the government turned a complete blind eye towards the government employees when they had demanded a Rs.10000 pay rise a couple of months ago.  

While stating that they have no objection to seeing salaries of government employees being increased, PAFFREL said they are only concerned with the fact that the announcement comes just one day before the postal voting ahead of the Presidential election.