Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Thirdly, their public holiday allowance has also been increased. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, now a Grade III officer who received Rs. 1,604 as PH allowance will receive Rs. 1,804 with our salary increase — that is an increase of Rs. 200. A person in Grade II currently receives Rs. 1,850 as the public holiday allowance; this will be increased by Rs. 260 to Rs. 2,110. For Grade I, the public holiday allowance is now Rs. 2,226; it will be increased by Rs. 325 to Rs. 2,551. For the Supra Grade, the PH allowance is now Rs. 2,629; it will be increased by Rs. 408 to Rs. 3,037. So, the PH allowance has been increased as well.

¶ 02 Moreover, we have increased the annual salary increments by 80 percent. Accordingly, the increment for Grade III which is now Rs. 445 will be increased to Rs. 800. For Grade II, the current increment is Rs. 660; it will be increased to Rs. 1,190. For Grade I, the current increment is Rs. 730; it will be increased to Rs. 1,320. For the Supra Grade, the current increment is Rs. 750; it will be increased to Rs. 1,350. Thus, annual salary increments have been increased in this manner.

¶ 03 In addition to increases in basic salary, OT rate, PH allowance and salary increments, there is another benefit. We are revising the PAYE Tax. For a long time, supplementary medical professionals up to Grade II also had to pay PAYE Tax. However, under our PAYE revision, no one in Grade II or Grade I will have to pay PAYE Tax. They will be 100 percent exempt from tax. Only those in the Supra Grade will pay tax, but those earning between Rs. 150,000 and Rs. 200,000 will receive a 7 percent relief.

¶ 04 Accordingly, for 5,500 supplementary medical professionals we have provided a basic salary increase, increased OT hourly allowance, increased PH allowance, increased annual increments and tax relief.

¶ 05 This is a strong package that the economy can currently bear. Therefore, if some trade union leaders or a few individuals distort these facts and try to create confusion among supplementary medical professionals, I urge you not to be misled. Your service is essential. Therefore, report to work tomorrow as usual. Do not strike. We are ready to discuss with them as well. Accept the higher salary offered and deliver your service to the public. Together, as we develop the economy, we can then discuss how to provide further increments. I thank the Hon. Deputy Chairperson for this opportunity.