In a recent meeting of the State Revenue Unit presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, discussions were held regarding the proposed pay increase of Rs. 10,000, with the government contemplating a phased approach. The deliberations were grounded in the financial projections outlined in the 2023 expected financial report of the State Revenue Unit, as presented by the President’s Office. The report suggests that the salary augmentation could be practically instituted as early as January.
As a result, commencing January 2024, government employees can anticipate an initial raise of Rs. 5,000, while pensioners are slated to receive the full increment of Rs. 2,500.
This decision aligns with the budget speech announcement, wherein it was declared that government employees would be granted a cost-of-living allowance of Rs. 10,000, disbursed in two installments. The initial installment of Rs. 5,000 is scheduled for April, followed by the remaining Rs. 5,000 in October. In contrast, pensioners are set to receive a lump sum increase of Rs. 2,500 in April 2024.