Prez gets tough; no salary hike till 2027 whoever strikes

Colombo, Feb. 7 (Daily Mirror) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday stressed that no allowances will be given for public sector employees until the third instalment of the salary increment is given in 2027, whoever resorts to strikes or takes to the streets.

Addressing an event in Kandy, he said it is not reasonable to struggle for allowances when a salary increment is pending in January 2027.

He said the government will have to spend Rs. 330 billion for the third increment in 2027 and added that Rs. 110 billion was spent for salary increment in 2025 and Rs. 220 billion in 2026.

The President said the government will consider any other allowances after granting the third instalment of the salary increment and assessing the impact of the increments on the budget.

"Some trade unions demand increasing some allowances even when a considerable salary increment has been given. That will not happen. We will consider any other allowances only after granting the third instalment of the salary increment and assessing the impact of the increments on the budget. It is not reasonable to struggle for allowances when a salary increment is pending in January 2027," he said.