The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, first, let me say: it was not the Opposition but the present Government that took people to the streets on salary increases. You spoke of Rs. 25,000, saying Rs. 5,000 or Rs. 10,000 was not enough, leading people to expect a Rs. 25,000 increase once you came to power. Now, failing to deliver, do not blame the Opposition. When Rs. 5,000 was attached as an allowance by Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Government, though you were not here then, we opposed it in Parliament and said not to attach allowances to salary — and you too opposed it then. So expectations from you were greater.

¶ 02 Over the last few days you alleged the Opposition tried to create a fuel crisis. Now fuel distributors say they have discussed with the Government and the problem is over. We ask: why did you not discuss it properly from the start? We consistently asked you to talk to the distributors and restore the removed commission. But this Government, blinded by a popular mandate, ignored them. Now, after talks, the issue is settled. But you created fear, claimed the Opposition wanted to topple the country and Government. It is your Government, not ours. You should have met them initially rather than now saying the issue is over.

¶ 03 This morning the Health Minister said in this House that there are severe reductions in allowances for supplementary medical services — paramedical and nursing cadres. They know how to do the calculations well. Even GMOA members are here. They calculated and said that though salaries were increased, allowances have been cut. For example, from 1/20 of basic salary, the vacation day allowance has been cut to 1/30; and the extra duty allowance from 1/80 to 1/120. If such reductions are made, there must be a rationale and a procedure, but there is none. As a result, the entire medical sector is now on the streets. The Government should not come here for an hour to threaten them; talk to their unions, explain clearly the rationale and who made these cuts. Without that, speaking here is useless.

¶ 04 Hon. Minister, there are about 1,800 graduates in minor grades currently. During my tenure as North Western Provincial Minister, we recruited office assistants and such into Development Officer posts through a Cabinet paper, because there were vacancies. In your own Puttalam District, too, there are not enough Development Officers. Allow Provinces to absorb these graduates already on the payroll; adding a small top-up if needed, this can be implemented, solving a problem without extra burden.

¶ 05 Another matter is the salary anomaly of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service officers. I have raised this before. In the recent exam, the cut-off was 116 marks and those above were recruited. But there are many more vacancies. We asked to reduce the cut-off to 100 and recruit those scoring 100–115 as well, because there are around 5,000 vacancies. Please recruit those at 100 marks as well.

¶ 06 The salary anomaly of management service officers has existed since around 2006 — not a sudden issue for your Government. On 09.06.2023, the Director General of Management Services called for observations from the DG of Establishments and the DG of Combined Services on solutions. The DG of Establishments, by letter dated 10.07.2023, said any salary revision should be general to all posts, otherwise the public service salary structure could be challenged. Yet, on 30.12.2023, due to political interference, the salaries of Grama Niladharis (GN 1 and GN 2) were revised. That further worsens anomalies in the administrative services. Also, the “State Management Assistant Service” that existed from 01.01.2004 was renamed “State Management Officer Service” from 09.09.2019. They perform large executive functions: personnel management, custodianship and use of funds, supervision, operations — a multi-functional role. They are required to serve anywhere in Sri Lanka. Unlike others, they have no transport, uniform, phone, housing allowances, nor motorbikes or travel facilities given to field officers. I request your intervention to resolve these issues.

¶ 07 Hon. Presiding Member, my time is up, but please allow one more minute.

¶ 08 Hon. Minister, there is an issue regarding the Divisional Secretary of Malimbada, Matara, on disaster relief distribution in 2023. An inquiry is ongoing. The main witness has applied for leave, and then a letter was issued terminating the officer’s service. Please look into this. Also, due to political reprisals, many key secretaries and District Secretaries in Sabaragamuwa have been transferred. Despite saying there is no political victimization, you too are doing so. Please intervene.