Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I requested this time to clarify misunderstandings on the part of a very small group of nurses regarding the Budget and to respond to attempts by some to use that small group to trigger protest actions.

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, our health sector employs about 150,000 staff. Of them, around 40,000 are nurses. Under our country’s nursing recruitment system, up to 58 per cent of intake can be male nurses, but even so, the vast majority in service are women. In addition to their duties at hospitals, many are homemakers, mothers, and caregivers to their own parents. You are well aware, from your own experience, that they made immense sacrifices, especially during the past pandemic and the economic crisis. At a time of fuel shortages and long queues, when even getting to work was hard, they came to duty. After late shifts, especially the 7.00 p.m. off-going shift, they faced great difficulties getting home. Even when their children were ill, they reported to work, asking their own parents or spouses to care for the children. The Government greatly appreciates their service. Within the limits of the economy, we are working to provide them the highest possible facilities, salaries, allowances and benefits.

¶ 03 In this Budget, we granted a basic salary increase for public servants. In nursing, there are five main categories. Under the current MT 7 (Grade III 8) entry grade, about 8,200 nurses are serving at first appointment. Their basic salary was Rs. 32,525. With the basic increase, it is now Rs. 54,920 — an increase of Rs. 22,395. Accordingly, their OT rate per hour, which was Rs. 215, rises to Rs. 290, an increase of Rs. 75 per hour. Their daily allowance, which was Rs. 1,084.16, rises to Rs. 1,831.

¶ 04 For those in their first five years of service in this category, the previous gross monthly pay was around Rs. 104,481; it now increases by Rs. 29,159 to Rs. 133,640. Thus, from April 2025, nurses at entry level will receive a minimum gross monthly pay of Rs. 133,640. This is the lowest end increase; with annual increments and allowances over time, the gross pay will be higher.

¶ 05 Next, in Grade II, there are about 9,400 nurses, typically after five years of service. Their basic salary rises from Rs. 37,636 to Rs. 64,500 — an increase of Rs. 26,864. The OT rate per hour increases from Rs. 255 to Rs. 345 (up Rs. 90). The daily PH allowance goes from Rs. 1,881 to Rs. 2,150.

¶ 06 In Grade I, around 16,000 nurses, usually after about 12 years of service, had a basic salary of Rs. 44,965, which increases to Rs. 77,850 — up by Rs. 32,885. Their OT per hour, which was Rs. 305, rises to Rs. 420 (up Rs. 115). The daily PH allowance increases from Rs. 2,248 to Rs. 2,595.

¶ 07 In the Supra Grade, typically after about 22 years of service, there are around 6,000 nurses. The basic salary rises from Rs. 53,035 to Rs. 92,460 — an increase of Rs. 39,425. Their OT per hour rises from Rs. 350 to Rs. 500. The daily PH allowance rises from Rs. 2,651 to Rs. 3,082.

¶ 08 In the Special Grade, there are about 415 nurses across clinical, teaching and administrative streams, typically after around 27 years. Their basic rises from Rs. 54,235 to Rs. 94,060 — roughly a Rs. 40,000 increase. OT per hour rises from Rs. 395 to Rs. 545 (up Rs. 150). The daily PH allowance rises from Rs. 2,711 to Rs. 3,135.

¶ 09 Given our current economic circumstances, these are significant increases. If an entry-grade nurse will receive Rs. 133,640 gross, one can compute how much higher the gross will be at Supra and Special Grades, after adding OT, PH allowance, and annual increments. From April, nurses will see a tangible increase.

¶ 10 Despite this, around 350 nurses are being mobilized by an individual to spread misinformation within the health service, claiming that Rs. 20,000 has been cut from public servants’ salaries. One union leader alleges that adding a Rs. 7,500 allowance to the basic does not benefit nurses. Those in the service know that once allowances are consolidated into the basic, derived benefits increase. The Rs. 5,000 is also included within the basic up-rate. They try to suggest that OT, PH and daily allowances will be calculated only on the April basic and not on later stages. That is not so. We clearly stated there are three stages: April 2025 (stage 1), January 2026 (stage 2), and January 2027 (stage 3). The OT, PH and daily allowances at each stage will be computed relative to the basic applicable at that stage, including January 2027. Therefore, amounts will be higher. A tiny group is trying to mislead and agitate. But the remaining 39,500–39,600 nurses understand the reality.

¶ 11 Some may compare to pay in the UK or Australia. Those countries have stronger treasuries. Within our constraints, we have provided substantial basic and gross increases. Do not be misled by a small group.

¶ 12 This is not about protecting nurses’ rights but about an individual, appointed as Director-General of Trade Unions in former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office, who enjoyed all privileges while briefly in Parliament, even obtaining a duty permit, and allegedly intervened to send nurses to Singapore. I need not mention the name. My message is to the 350 or 400 nurses: do not be misled. All 40,000 nurses will receive a palpable salary increase from April.

¶ 13 Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for the time.