Await pay hike in January - President

Jayasiri Munasinghe

* We have ended a destructive war which engulfed the Nation

* Salary increase effective from November

* Some conspiring to bring workers to streets to fulfil political agendas

President Rajapaksa

The Government will grant a salary increase to all public sector employees from January next year. President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced this at the seventh National Convention of the SLFP oriented Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya held at Temple Trees yesterday to the loud applause of the gathering. The theme of the convention was ‘Prosperous Nation - Contented Workforce’.

President Rajapaksa said: “We have been able to end a destructive war which engulfed the nation for nearly three decades. During this period, the working class extended its unstinted support and co-operation to the Government. While engaged in the humanitarian war to free the Nation from terrorism, I made one request from the working class.

I called upon them to have patience and bear with us until the end of this year and that we would reciprocate by doing our duty towards you after ending the war.”

The President said: “Now we will be granting the salary increase to you all from January next year. These increments will be effective from November this year.

President Rajapaksa said the Government had clearly stated that it would grant salary increase to workers of all sectors and educated all trade unions about the matter.

The President said he himself had entered the Trade Union field by launching a Trade Union. Therefore, there was no need to teach him about the working of a Trade Union. President Rajapaksa said he was among those who always came forward and gave the leadership to overcome any challenge or conspiracy faced by the working class and the country.

He would never hesitate to take any decision that would cater to the welfare of the people without seeking personal gain. “Today some quarters are conspiring to bring the workers on to the streets to fulfil their political agendas rather than on a salary issue.” He would request workers not to fall prey to such gimmicks and join acts of sabotage.

The President said: “ Some people who helped us to come to power are today trying to join a different political journey with others. But such journeys will be short lived.”

Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Athauda Seneviratne and T.B. Ekanayake, Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya President Leslie Devendra and ILO representative T. Stanmose also spoke. Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana was also present.