Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified ahead of the Health Ministry Vote that a threatened doctors’ strike had been withdrawn after discussions and that health services were continuing normally. He said seven supplemental health professional cadres, including pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, radiographers and therapists, had served significantly during the economic crisis and that the Government was increasing their remuneration to retain skilled staff. He outlined increases in basic salaries across grades, from about Rs. 22,000 at entry levels to about Rs. 43,320 at the highest grade, along with higher overtime hourly rates from April.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, I will briefly clarify matters ahead of tomorrow’s debate on the Health Ministry Vote. Certain professional groups are attempting to mislead their members and disrupt services. Although a doctors’ strike was announced today, after yesterday’s discussions they withdrew it; services continue as normal. This is also relevant to today’s theme of social protection.
¶ 02 Seven key supplemental health professional cadres serve in our system: pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists (MLTs), radiographers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, audiology technicians, and speech therapists. Current numbers approximate: pharmacists 1,982; MLTs 2,031; radiographers 670; physiotherapists 635; occupational therapists 922; audiology technicians 35; speech therapists 100—total about 5,545.
¶ 03 These cadres are vital for diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation across all ages and at hospitals and health centres. Most were historically diploma-qualified; we have transitioned training to degree level for the future.
¶ 04 During the economic crisis, despite hardships and limited facilities, they rendered immense service. Given their specialized training and global mobility, our Government decided to enhance their pay to retain them. We are increasing their remuneration across five components, foremost by raising basic salary—an unprecedented across-the-board basic pay increase without any agitation.
¶ 05 Illustratively (current basic to new basic; increase):
¶ 06 - Grade II (on entry): Rs. 32,080 → Rs. 54,120 (+22,040) - Grade II (experienced): Rs. 34,305 → Rs. 58,120 (+23,815) - Grade II (senior): Rs. 36,530 → Rs. 62,120 (+25,590) - Grade I: Rs. 37,190 → Rs. 63,310 (+26,120) - Grade I (higher): Rs. 40,490 → Rs. 69,260 (+28,770) - Grade I (senior): Rs. 43,790 → Rs. 75,210 (+31,420) - Special grades: - Example: Rs. 44,520 → Rs. 76,530 (+32,010) - Rs. 48,170 → Rs. 83,130 (+34,960) - Rs. 52,590 → Rs. 91,110 (+38,520) - Top: Rs. 58,590 → Rs. 101,910 (+43,320)
¶ 07 Thus, Grade II staff gain about Rs. 22,000–25,000 on basic pay, while the highest grade gains about Rs. 43,320.
¶ 08 Second, we are increasing OT hourly rates: - Grade II: Rs. 210 → Rs. 285 (+75) - Grade I: Rs. 250 → Rs. 340 (+90) - Grade I (senior): Rs. 300 → Rs. 415 (+115) - Supra Grade: Rs. 345 → Rs. 495 (+150) - Special Grade: Rs. 390 → Rs. 540 (+150)
¶ 09 Therefore, overtime earnings from April will be significantly higher than in March.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Wednesday, 5 March 2025 ·No. 1742473561091594 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 5 March 2025. No. 1742473561091594. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/2302