Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe announced that a significant salary increase for public sector employees is scheduled to be implemented in the upcoming budget.

Responding to a question raised by MP Ravi Karunanayake in Parliament today (9), the Deputy Minister assured that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has no objections to the proposed salary hike.

Addressing the matter further, Jayasinghe remarked, “We didn’t say Rs. 25,000. Let’s see about the exact number. Don’t panic. Open and see what’s inside the bag, don’t poke it and see.” He also criticised former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating, “Ranil Wickremesinghe made a Cabinet decision before the postal vote on September 4, targeting the votes of public sector employees. But the public employees gave a good response. It was something presented to deceive public employees, not the reality.”