News
TUs affiliated to UNP, SLPP, JVP endorsed CBSL pay hikes
… Collective Agreement introduced in 2000 continues
Successive goverments have abided by it for 24 years
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The controversial salary hike granted to the employees of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) had been endorsed by three trade unions affiliated to the JVP, the UNP and the SLPP, informed sources told The Island.
Of the other trade unions at the CBSL, two independent groups represent executive officers. The scheme under which the latest collective agreement on salaries was extended for a three-year period was based on a formula introduced in 2000 during Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s tenure as the President.
Declaring that none of the trade unions affiliated to political parties opposed the continuation of the scheme, sources said they had reached a consensus on a salary increase following consultations among all stakeholders.
Prior to 2000, the management had been granting triennial salary revisions since 1991, sources said.
The salary increase has been granted by the CBSL Governing Board, sources said, emphasising that the trade unions with political links could not have endorsed the pay hikes without the knowledge of their parties.
The GB consists of Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe (Chairman), A N Fonseka, Dr. Ravi Ratnayake, Anushka S Wijesinha, Vish Govindasamy, Rajeev Amarasuriya and Manil Jayesinghe.
In terms of the agreement reached with the participation of the top management and trade unions, the monthly salary bill increased by 50 percent. 24 percent of that amount was deducted and sent to the Inland Revenue Department as Pay As you Earn (PAYE) tax, as agreed between the top management and the trade unions.
Sources said that the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) was expected to meet a CBSL delegation over the pay issue in the coming week. A meeting has been tentatively set for 05 March 05 after the CBSL requested an opportunity from Parliament to present its side of the story.
A senior CBSL official said that there was absolutely no truth in claims that the top management and trade unions had granted CBSL employees over 70 percent salary increase.
Even non-members of the CoPF could join the session with the permission of the Chairman of the House Committee.
Sources said that since 2022 nearly 100 CBSL personnel, most of them Staff Class with specialised skills, had resigned due to the current economic situation. He said no government since 2000 had interfered with the Collective Agreement that had been introduced during President Kumaratunga’s tenure.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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