Ranil urges public sector to fight for immediate wage hike 

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe 

• Says decision by former Govt. to increase State sector salaries should not be delayed any further 
• Reveals he had planned to implement approved salary increase from Jan. 2025 if he had won the Presidential election
• Criticises current Govt. for failing to meet commitments and asks to at least fulfil promises made by former Govt. 
• Claims with SJB supporting current administration, it is up to State sector employees to now fight for wage hike

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on public sector employees to push for the immediate implementation of the salary hike approved by the previous Cabinet. 

Speaking at a discussion held yesterday with representatives of the State Employees’ Union at the New Democratic Front office in Colombo, Wickremesinghe emphasised that the Cabinet decision to raise salaries, taken during his tenure as Finance Minister, should not be delayed any further.

Wickremesinghe revealed that his administration had planned to implement the salary increase from January 2025 if he had won the Presidential election. He also demanded that the current Government disclose where the funds, originally allocated for the increase, have been directed if the hike cannot be implemented.

Wickremesinghe urged the current administration not to delay the long-promised salary increments for public servants, emphasising the growing economic struggles faced by the people. “Do not postpone this salary increase because the people are not able to live,” he said.

Wickremesinghe also criticised the Government for failing to meet its commitments, adding: “If you can’t fulfil the promises made by the NPP, then fulfil the promises made by us.”

He clarified that the decision to raise wages had been made after careful consideration of the public servants’ demands and the economic realities faced by the workforce.

“The demand for a salary increase is reasonable,” Wickremesinghe remarked. “By 2022, the value of people’s wages had decreased by 50%. In 2024, I increased the wages by Rs. 10,000, but that Rs. 10,000 is not enough,” he noted. 

Wickremesinghe also pointed out that a committee headed by Udaya Seneviratne was established to address the issue, and after discussions with key financial authorities, a phased increase was agreed upon. “They informed me that it was possible to give 50% of the increase in one year and the remaining 50% in the next year,” he said, highlighting the challenges in securing full funding.

He reiterated the legality of the decision, noting: “I presented the Cabinet paper on increasing public servants’ remuneration, and I signed that Cabinet document as President. This salary increase is legal, and the Cabinet has full authority to make such decisions.”

Citing Article 43 of the Constitution, Wickremesinghe said the salary increase was legally approved after extensive discussions and recommendations from various Government officials, including his Secretary and economic advisers. He urged the current administration not to postpone the raise, asserting that public sector workers are struggling to survive amid rising costs.

“This salary increase should be implemented from January. People should have money in hand to celebrate the Sinhala New Year,” Wickremesinghe said.

He stressed that it is the responsibility of State employees to continue the fight for better wages. He said the onus is now on them to carry this cause forward. “Now, the State sector employees have to take this fight forward. This battle is in your hands,” he said. 

He claimed that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), led by Sajith Premadasa, has declared its support for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and that it will not clash with Government decisions. “Therefore, it is up to you to carry this fight for wages forward,” Wickremesinghe said.