President assures implementation of recommended public sector salary increments from 2025

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the final report of the Presidential Expert Committee tasked to put together recommendations related to the salaries and allowances of public services.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the Presidential Expert Committee Chairman Udaya R. Seneviratne has announced that the Cabinet has approved the committee’s final report.

Seneviratne stated that the report was prepared in alignment with the conditions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It was developed with the agreement of the Treasury and the approval of the Cabinet to ensure the necessary financial allocations.

The Presidential Expert Committee’s final report recommends increasing public service salaries and allowances with effect from 1 January 2025.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that the recommendations of the Expert Committee to increase public service salaries and allowances will be implemented through the Finance Ministry. Committee Chair Seneviratne also said that the Treasury has committed to allocating the required funds to support implementing these recommendations. 

Speaking on the occasion, Wickremesinghe stated that he intends to increase the income of all citizens of this country.

The expert committee on restructuring public sector salaries and allowances was appointed by the on 12 June 2024, with the approval of the Cabinet. The committee comprises 10 members from both the public and private sector.

The committee included several key members: Department of National Budget Director General Jude Nilukshan, Department of Management Services Director General Hiransa Kalutanthri, Combined Services Director General S. Aloka Bandara, Establishments Director General H.A. Chandana Kumarasinghe, Ministry of Health retired Deputy Director General Dr. Terence Gamini de Silva, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa, BCS International Technology Ltd. Chief Public Officer Chandi H. Dharmaratne, Commercial Bank Deputy General Manager (Human Resources) Isuru Thilakawardena and Additional Secretary to the President G.L. Varnan Perera.

The final report, which was to be submitted within three months, presents an 18-point policy outlining the reforms to be implemented in the public service and the proposed salary increases.