Commission launched to tackle public sector pay issues

Colombo, July 2 (Daily Mirror) - The newly appointed Salary and Pension Commission, established by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address long-standing salary and pension issues in the public service, officially commenced its work with its inaugural meeting held yesterday (July 1) at the Nilamadura premises in Narahenpita.

The first meeting of the 15-member commission was chaired by its Chairman, Telge Ashoka Peiris, and attended by the other appointed members. The commission was established through a special gazette notification issued by the President on June 22.

According to the government, the commission has been tasked with providing equitable solutions to existing salary and pension-related issues affecting public sector employees and retirees, while addressing long-standing salary anomalies within the public service.

The commission is also expected to recommend measures to enhance the professionalism and value of public service employment, while identifying structural reforms required to align the public sector with emerging technological developments and global trends.

Authorities expect the commission's work to contribute towards formulating long-term solutions to the financial challenges faced by public servants and pensioners.

In addition to Chairman Telge Ashoka Peiris, the commission comprises Kuruppu Kema Ann Swarnadhipathi, Premalal Abeysinghe Gunasekara, Balasuriyage Monty Ranatunga, Nadaraja Ravichandar, Dr. Wimal Jayantha, Mohottige Mudila Sanjeewa, Hattasinghe Thilakawardhana, Brigadier (Retired) Piyal Jude Fernando, Ahmed Lebbe Mohamed Mukthar, Senarath Thisse Bandara Rathnayake, Abeysinghe Weerakoon, Lal Chandra Weerakoon, Gajadheera Arachchi Piyal Padmanatha, Jayaweera Pathirana, and Koswinnage Sarath Lal Perera.