Declines Opposition request on the basis that it will increase disparity between salary scales
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday rejected the Opposition’s request to provide the Rs. 2,500 interim allowance to employees of semi-Government organisations, citing administrative and procedural issues.
Highlighting the reasons for employees of semi-Government organisations not being given the new interim allowance, the Prime Minister said: “The salary structure of semi-Government organisations, including Corporations, Boards, and other institutions, were established taking the job role into consideration.
These semi-Government organisations are established to meet a specific task. Based on the special tasks performed by these organisations, the employees receive a higher salary compared to general salaries of the state sector. The facilities, allowances, medical care, and other benefits provided differ between the state and semi-Government employees.”
“We are unable to offer the same facilities to both the state and the semi-Government institutions. We can only follow the existing systems in place, which will not lead to creating a wider disparity in salary structures,” he added.
A Cabinet decision was reached this year to provide an interim allowance of Rs. 2,500 to all State employees with effect from 1 July, until the report of the Special Salaries Commission appointed by the President submits its recommendations. The decision was conveyed by Circular no. 9/2019. However, the Opposition on several occasions requested the Government to offer the interim allowance to the semi-Government employees as well.
(FT)