Latest News
Reports claiming that Cabinet approval has not been granted for increase in public sector salaries are false
The President’s Media Division states that reports claiming that the Cabinet has not approved the salary increase for public sector employees set to be implemented in 2025 are false and the necessary approval has already been granted.
On May 27, 2024, under Cabinet Decision No. 24/Misc. (020), a study was initiated to address salary disparities among different public sector groups. A special committee was appointed to analyse salaries, wages, and other allowances across all public sector divisions to make necessary adjustments, which would then be included in the 2025 budget proposals. The expert committee has held discussions with 81 major trade unions and government officials in the public sector. Following these discussions and an analysis of the relevant information, an interim report has been prepared.
In this context, Mr. Udaya R. Senewiratne, the Chairman of the expert Committee clarified that while preparing this report, additional information was gathered from 391 trade unions, organizations, institutions, and individuals.
The interim report takes into account the existing fiscal constraints and challenges faced by public sector employees. It includes recommendations for revising the existing salary structures, along with measures to manage government spending more effectively. The report also proposes a policy framework that includes strategies for reducing government expenses and enhancing revenue generation, while implementing salary revisions based on established standards and benchmarks.
Accordingly, the Cabinet Paper No. 24/1609/601/097, titled “Interim Report of the Expert Committee Appointed to Address Salary Disparities in the Public Sector,” was communicated by the President and the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies on August 12, 2024.
Following a review and discussion of this interim report by the Cabinet, policy approval has been granted for the implementation of the recommendations specified in Sections 3.1 to 3.18 of the report. Additionally, these recommendations have been incorporated into the 2025 budget and approved for implementation.
For the year 2025, the following adjustments will be implemented for all government employees:
- A monthly cost-of-living allowance of LKR 25,000 will be provided, subject to revision every three years.
- The minimum starting monthly salary in the public sector will increase by 24% to a range of 50%–60%, with a total gross salary of LKR 55,000 including the cost-of-living allowance. Salaries for all other positions will be adjusted accordingly.
- This new salary and allowance scheme will apply to all government institutions except for state-owned enterprises and banks.
- Government pensioners who retired before 2020 will receive the salary increments to which they are entitled, with their pensions adjusted to eliminate existing disparities.
- Starting from January 2025, pensioners will receive a cost-of-living allowance equivalent to 50% of the allowance provided to active government employees.
The Cabinet has authorized the gradual implementation of this salary structure, taking fiscal constraints into consideration, starting on January 1, 2025.
The expert committee submitted their final report to the President on September 3, 2024. This report, including recommendations numbered 01 to 08, addresses various aspects such as public sector classification, employee allowances, pension disparities, and recommendations regarding allowances and levies. The report has received policy approval for implementation starting January 1, 2025, and the recommendations have been included in the 2025 budget proposals.
Therefore, when disseminating such sensitive information, it is essential to avoid spreading misleading news and instead focus on verifying and communicating accurate details to the public.
[PMD]
Will India and Pakistan face each other on February 15 in Colombo?
Even as that question hangs heavy like the thick and suffocating Mumbai smog over the T20 World Cup 2026, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said his team will travel to Colombo whether the match happens or not.
“Our Mindset is pretty clear,” Suryakumar said at the captains’ media briefing on Thursday in Mumbai. “We did not refuse to play them. The refusal came from them (Pakistan). ICC organised the fixture. BCCI and the Indian government decided to play in neutral venue in coordination with ICC. Our flight to Colombo is booked. So we are going. We’ll see what happens later.”
Defending champions India begin their World Cup campaign on the opening day – February 7 – against USA in Mumbai. India start as firm favourites based on their phenomenal domination in the format in this World Cup cycle. Suryakumar’s team provided further evidence of that on Monday evening in Navi Mumbai where they nudged aside South Africa in the warm-up match. Such form has allowed Suryakumar to be more relaxed and light-hearted during media briefings and same was the case on Thursday.
Asked what the mood in the Indian dressing room was around the Pakistan match, Suryakumar said: “The discussion in the team is ekdum (absolutely) clear. First we play the match on February 7, then we will head to Delhi (Namibia on February 12) and then we will travel to Colombo.”
Suryakumar’s is the first formal response from the India side on the topic, and comes a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his government had taken a “cons8dered stance” on boycotting the India match and did not want “politics in sport”.
This is the second time in six months Suryakumar has found himself facing questions on how India-Pakistan matches were getting impacted due to the fraught political relations between the two nations, after the Asia Cup controversy last year. The BCCI had instructed the Indian team then to not shake hands with the Pakistan team, at the behest of the Indian government. India then refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy after winning the tournament from ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also declined to hand over the trophy.
Suryakumar said he could not do much about the current situation apart from turning up with his team in Colombo.
“Pakistan’s decision is not in my control,” he said. “I wish I could take that decision. But then it’s their (Pakistan) call. We’ve been told that we have to play on the 15th. We played the Asia Cup, we played three times. We played some good cricket against them. We won. We were happy. And, similarly, if we get an opportunity again in Colombo we will definitely play our game.
“I feel it is not an easy job. I’m sure they must be working out something. But if the boycott has come from the other government or the nation, how can… It is a difficult call for them as well. I know it’ll be a difficult situation. But, as I said, if we are told and the fixtures are ready we will definitely go ahead and play.”
(Cricinfo)
Latest News
Delhi Capital’s fourth shot at elusive trophy as Royal Challengers Bengaluru look to make winning a habit
The grand finale of WPL 2026 carries a distinct India-South Africa flavour, much like the World Cup final two months ago. But the epicenter is Vadodara and not Navi Mumbai, the traditional home of Indian women’s cricket. However, that won’t make the occasion any less special.
The marquee names line up symmetrically. Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues on one side; Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh on the other. Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt on one side, Nadine de Klerk on the other.
Threading between these big stars are two high-impact overseas allrounders from West Indies and Australia, each having contributed to their team’s journey to the final in their own way.
Chinelle Henry has been an unheralded star for Delhi Capitals (DC). Her three-for in the Eliminator may have gone unnoticed in the larger scheme of things, but it was as important as Shafali and Lizelle Lee’s opening stand or Rodrigues’ cameo. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Grace Harris has filled an even larger void. In Ellyse Perry’s absence, she has become the powerplay enforcer, dominating attacks and setting up games for the likes of Ghosh and de Klerk to finish.
The prospect of these two sides pitted against each other in the final seemed an unlikely prospect even during the auction. Mumbai Indians appeared the obvious front runners, having retained the core that delivered two titles in three seasons.
RCB, meanwhile, were without Perry, and when they opted to replace her with an uncapped Indian fast bowler in Sayali Satghare, fully aware that Pooja Vastrakar would be unavailable for much of the season, the knives were out. Satghare has since become a key strand in RCB’s seam attack.
Thursday’s final also brings a contrast to their journeys to the final. RCB took the route DC did for three seasons running – winning six out of their eight games to top the group. DC have scraped through a sequence of must-win games and will now play their third knockout in five days.
DC are chasing that elusive fourth attempt at glory to help bring silverware to a franchise that is yet to win a major; RCB is looking at making winning titles a habit, attempting a hat-trick of wins (IPL included).
In each of the three previous finals, the winner of the Eliminator has gone on to win the title. Will Thursday be any different?
RCB are likely to back Vastrakar to play as a specialist batter. While she has begun bowling in the nets, a call has been taken to ease her in, given she has returned to competitive cricket after 15 months. Arundhati Reddy’s lack of form is the only other area of concern that could potentially bring in legspinner Prema Rawat into the equation.
RCB (probable): Smriti Mandhana (capt), Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Arundhati Reddy/Prema Rawat, Lauren Bell
DC are likely to be unchanged. In fact the 13 players they’ve used this season are the fewest resources a team has used across four WPL seasons.
DC (probable): Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (capt), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Nandani Sharma, N Shree Charani
[Cricinfo]
‘Our flight is booked, we’re going’: Suryakumar on India vs Pakistan
Captain’s knock helps Petes
Delhi Capital’s fourth shot at elusive trophy as Royal Challengers Bengaluru look to make winning a habit
Gunmen kill nearly 200 people in Nigeria’s Kwara and Katsina states
SLAF men’s Judo team crowned overall champs at 62nd National Judo Championship
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Uva province and in Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota and Nuwara-Eliya districts
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Opinion7 days agoSri Lanka, the Stars,and statesmen
-
Business6 days agoHayleys Mobility ushering in a new era of premium sustainable mobility
-
Business3 days agoSLIM-Kantar People’s Awards 2026 to recognise Sri Lanka’s most trusted brands and personalities
-
Business6 days agoAdvice Lab unveils new 13,000+ sqft office, marking major expansion in financial services BPO to Australia
-
Business6 days agoArpico NextGen Mattress gains recognition for innovation
-
Business5 days agoAltair issues over 100+ title deeds post ownership change
-
Editorial6 days agoGovt. provoking TUs
-
Business5 days agoSri Lanka opens first country pavilion at London exhibition