FT

CBSL says ready to justify pay hike in Parliament

Monday, 26 February 2024 04:10 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

  • Central Bank’s Governing Board makes formal request through President Wickremesinghe that they be called before Parliament to answer questions
  • Says latest revision of remuneration of employees of the CBSL were approved by the Governing Board under the triennial Collective Agreement entered into with the Trade Unions covering the period 2024-2026
  • State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe proposes CoPF to summon CBSL for clarification on salary increment controversy

The Central Bank’s Governing Board has made a formal request through President Ranil Wickremesinghe who is also the Finance Minister that they be called before Parliament to answer questions on the recent controversy regarding salary increments.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) responded to recent media reports and comments made by Members of Parliament regarding the latest revision of employee remuneration. 

“CBSL will explain its position upon being offered the requested opportunity or on receipt of a request for information,” the statement noted.

The latest revision of remuneration of employees of the CBSL that were approved by the Governing Board under the triennial Collective Agreement entered into with the Trade Unions covering the period 2024-2026. 

At a meeting held on 21 February, the Governing Board requested the Governor of CBSL, in accordance with Section 80(2)(b) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act No. 16 of 2023, to formally request the Minister of Finance, through whom the CBSL normally communicates with Parliament, to seek an opportunity to apprise the Members of the Parliament through an appropriate parliamentary committee of the process and rationale pertaining to the recent revision of remuneration of CBSL staff. 

The Governor has submitted this written request on 22 February.

Separately, the State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe proposed to the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) to summon the CBSL to provide clarification on the recent salary increment controversy.

“I suggest to the Committee on Public Finance that it is appropriate to summon the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to the Committee and seek clarification on the recent controversy regarding salary increments @HarshadeSilvaMP,” he noted via ‘X’ yesterday.

 

NPP promises people-centric CBSL under future Govt.

COMMENTS