United National Party Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake stated that he has got information saying the government is going to increase state sector salaries by Rs. 5000 in the ‘Election Budget’ to be announced tomorrow (24).

The last budget presented by Mahinda Rajapaksa in his second term is due in three weeks. The presidential election is likely to be announced soon after the budget, political sources told Asian Mirror.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday Karunanayake said that the UNP was demanding an increase of Rs. 10,000 in the salary and in reality even that is not enough. However, even if it is increased by Rs. 5000 the UNP will take it as a victory, he added.

He claimed that the obvious revival of the UNP shown in the Uva Provincial Election has made the government apprehensive. However Karunanayake asked why the government was taking such a step on the verge of an election.

Meanwhile he also questioned as to how an election is scheduled by the predictions of astrologers when there was an Elections Commissioner supposed to be doing the job.

Several cabinet ministers have stated in public that the presidential election will be held in January with President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the UPFA presidential candidate.