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Some feel a sliver of the economic pie is not enough
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Wasantha Kumar Perera: Former hotelier from Ekala
By Kasun Warakapitiya
Uncertainty over the benefits to the public from the 2025 budget hangs over revenue measures, public sector salaries, and allowances.
A cross section of state and private sector employees, minor staffers as well as daily wage earners said that they expected more from the inaugural budget of the government.
They said that the government gave many promises including removing value added tax on essential items, education, and healthcare.
However, they welcomed the government reducing unnecessary expenditure, not providing vehicle permits for legislators, and acting against corruption. But, what matters is the cost of living.
Professionals have sought clarity on how the salary increases and reduction of allowances would apply to them.
A teacher in Wattala, N.T Perera, 34, told the Sunday Times that teachers expected a higher salary increase, yet they have only received an increase that had been spread out over three years.
R. A. Ranatunga: A manpower employee who also works for the RDA
“ This is exactly what the previous government did, however we don’t say what we got is entirely bad as the president said in his budget speech that the increase would be added to our basic salary,” she said.
She said the salary increase can’t keep up with the cost of living.
A former state employee and a legal adviser, Dilani Ranasinghe, 45, explained that it is impossible for any government to suddenly increase salaries substantially and the practice of most governments is to increase salaries step by step according to economic conditions.
While promises are made, it is the people’s responsibility to see if they are practical.
“People of this country lack political literacy, they believe all what politicians tell them, that is why the people have over expectations of the government and are unhappy about budget proposals,” she said.
Pubudu Fernando: An employee of Sri Lanka Railways
Another concern has been that most realised that half of the salary increase promised in the budget had actually been provided by the former government and the difference was that it was only included into the basic salary. “The President should have made it clear in the budget that already people were drawing part of the salary increase promised,” Ananda de Silva, a public sector employee from Panadura said.
Private sector employees said that governments which called for change, are following previous governments. One such move was to request private employers to increase salaries.
A private sector employee, U Chandana Samantha, told the Sunday Timesthat the government should to bring in measures to increase salaries rather than making a request.
U Chandana Samantha: A private sector employee
“Government sector employee salaries are increased in every budget but most private sector employee salaries do not get increased as most private sector company owners are not compelled as they only receive a request,’’ he said.
Senior citizens and state employees who are nearing retirement age had mixed reactions. Though they welcomed the budget they added that much can be done for seniors.
Wasantha Kumar Perera, 71, a former hotelier from Ekala said that he expected more for the elderly by giving them an insurance policy. “We have contributed to the economy during our younger years, so the government should look into our welfare during our twilight years.’’
An employee of Sri Lanka Railways, Pubudu Fernando, 51, approaching retirement, explained that he expects the government to raise the basic salary by a big amount at once.
“We expected a huge salary increase at once , the salary increase done by instalments would not make much of an impact as the cost of living too gets increased by a huge amount while the next salary increase is done,” he said.
Meanwhile the working class vented its frustration over inadequate pay and the treatment of manual labourers. They lamented their meagre pay compared with that of state officials.
They added that although workers are celebrated during workers day with rallies and processions, their needs are overlooked by the government.
K.G. Neel Ranganath a labourer of the Road Development Authority said that he only gets Rs 5,900 increase of his basic salary this year. He had expected at least an increase of Rs 10,000.
K.G. Neel Ranganath: Labourer of the RDA. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
“Even if I make Rs 55,000 a month, my basic is Rs 28,500. Even though we get allowances, and overtime, we need to work hard under the hot sun to get that pay,’’ he said.
Mr Ranganath said he is the breadwinner of his family and has stopped eating from out.
R. A. Ranatunga a manpower employee who also works for the RDA said that he is only paid Rs 1,700 per day. “I do not have job security, or salary increase. Only if I work the whole day I get the payment. If I don’t turn up for work, I don’t get paid, I don’t know why the government overlooked people like us who need support to survive.’’
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