Lowest ranking CB employee’s salary increased to over Rs. 180,000 – PM

The gross salary of the lowest ranking employee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), an Office Assistant – Grade 1, has been increased by 29.53% up to Rs. 188,827 in accordance with a collective agreement, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane told Parliament yesterday.

Responding to a question by SJB Colombo District MP S. M. Marikkar, the Premier said that the gross salary of the Deputy Governor had been increased by 76.97 per cent up to Rs. 1,728,419.

The Prime Minister said the CBSL employees were entitled to housing loans, vehicle loans, welfare loans and medical facilities.

Prime Minister Gunawardena gave an undertaking to the House yesterday that the government would act in accordance with the report of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) on CBSL officials increasing their own salaries during the economic crisis.

The CBSL officials were summoned to Parliament on Tuesday. They were met by the party leaders and the CoPF chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva. The CBSL officials explained that they had additional workload following the economic crisis in 2022. This was further exacerbated by the fact that a large number of CBSL officials resigned and retired from their services. They are entitled to a salary increment every third year. CBSL comprises a highly specialised workforce for its smooth functioning, and they deserve a salary for the services they render. The CBSL employees are not entitled to work elsewhere or engage in businesses during their service.

They are also banned from investing in financial institutions to prevent any conflict of interest.

There are collective agreements for the purpose of increasing productivity and motivating the workers. It is practically not possible to abolish all collective agreements. We as a government are ready to act with regard to CBSL salary increase as per the recommendations of CoPF report,” the Prime Minister said.