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CB salary controversy: Issue is not increase but size of it, says Harsha

Published

2 years ago

2024/03/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dr. de Silva

… asks for reappraisal of pay structure

CB never opposed pay hikes for anyone: Governor

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Dr. Harsha de Silva on Tuesday (05) said what was at issue was the sheer size of salary increase granted to Central Bank (CB) employees.

The SJB lawmaker said so when Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe sought an explanation from the House Committee whether the MPs found fault with the Central Bank over the salary increase granted to employees with effect from January 1 this year or the amount (percentage) given in terms of a Collective Agreement.

Dr. Weerasinghe appeared before the CoPF after having responded to questions raised at the party leaders’ meetin chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Political sources said that the party leaders’ meeting, as well as the CoPF proceedings, commenced simultaneously. Of the seven Governing Board (GB) members, only Dr. Weerasinghe appeared before the party leaders and subsequently joined GB members, namely A.N. Fonseka, Dr. Ravi Ratnayake, Anushka S Wijesinha, Vish Govindasamy, Rajeev Amarasuriya and Manil Jayesinghe.

Responding to CoPF’s Chairman’s declaration that the Parliament felt that salaries of Central Bank employees shouldn’t have been increased by so much, Dr. Weerasinghe emphasised the need to explain their position in this regard.

Dr. Weerasinghe said that the Central Bank had never advised the government not to increase the salaries of state sector employees. Everyone’s income had to go up for the economic crisis to be resolved. “Salaries of both public and private sectors should be increased as soon as possible depending on the availability of funds.”

Dr. Weerasinghe said that the Parliament could say that the salary increase granted with effect from January 1 this year should have been delayed by one year. They could debate whether the increase granted to Central Bank employees was morally right now or a year later, he added.

Dr. Weerasinghe said that the government granted salary increases to an extent it could. The Governor was referring to the salary increase announced by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Finance Minister in the 2024 Budget.

Dr. de Silva pointed out that the House Committee had raised the issue over the size of the latest Central Bank salary increase and not the salary increase itself.

A statement issued by Janakantha Silva, Director Administration and Acting Director Communication, disclosed that during the party leaders’ meeting with the Central Bank team it transpired that as a result of the latest increase their monthly salary bill would go up by Rs 232 mn.

Dr. de Silva said that the Central Bank was a regulated monopoly. Therefore there was no competition. The former UNP State Minister emphasized that the Central Bank was regulated by Parliament.

Dr. Weerasinghe reiterated that the Central Bank was not of the view that salaries shouldn’t be increased.

Responding to Dr. Weerasinghe contention that the Central Bank had to look after its employees, Colombo District MP de Silva said all establishments faced that issue and it was not limited to the Central Bank. Economists weren’t the only category affected by the current crisis but doctors, engineers as well as other categories of workers.

Dr. de Silva urged the GB to reconsider the size of the salary increment.

Dr. de Silva yesterday told The Island that the House Committee believed the CB Governing Board would address the concerns raised by Parliament at the level of CoPF and the party leaders as well.

In spite of big boasts of rapid economic recovery and all sorts of claims, the country was in a precarious situation and the unexpected situation caused by the Central Bank salary increase could undermine public faith in the government, Dr. de Silva said.

CBSL officials appearing before CoPF (pic courtesy parliament)

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

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PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)