Deputy Labour Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe elaborated in Parliament yesterday on how the salaries of government employees, particularly teachers and principals, will be increased under the 2025 Budget.
Addressing the House during the debate on the Second Reading of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the salary adjustments mark the highest increment for public servants in recent history.
According to Minister Jayasinghe, the minimum salary of a newly appointed teacher is currently Rs. 31,490, which will rise to Rs. 53,060 within the next three years, with an annual increment of Rs. 800. A graduate teacher who joins the Teaching Service today with a salary of Rs. 50,020 will see an adjustment to Rs. 67,000 by April 1, 2025.
Teachers in Grade 2.2 will receive Rs. 50,220 plus an additional Rs. 17,500, totaling Rs. 73,350. Those with five years of service will get an increment of Rs. 10,500. Meanwhile, the salary of a Grade 2.1 teacher will rise from Rs. 41,000 to Rs. 83,000, and Grade I teachers, currently earning over Rs. 56,000, will see an increase to Rs. 98,000 within three years, with an annual increment of Rs. 2,940.
Principals will also benefit from these salary revisions. A principal in Grade III of the Principal’s Service, currently earning Rs. 42,175, will see their salary rise to over Rs. 72,000. Those in Grade II, currently earning Rs. 48,000, will receive an increase to Rs. 86,370. Grade I principals will also experience significant salary hikes.
Minister Jayasinghe noted that the Budget has been structured to shift Sri Lanka’s economy towards manufacturing and alleviate rural poverty. He accused the Opposition of being unable to accept the government’s success, stating, “The Opposition never believed we could present a Budget that fulfills our promises to the people.”
He further clarified public misconceptions regarding salary increments, stating that the lowest-level public servants will receive an increase of Rs. 5,975. The basic salary hike is Rs. 15,750, including an integration of two previous allowances totaling Rs. 7,500. The annual salary increment for all government employees will increase by 80%, with the minimum annual increment rising from Rs. 250 to Rs. 450.
Other categories of public service will also benefit. The Grama Niladhari Service (GN-1) salary will rise from Rs. 28,940 to Rs. 56,630 within three years, incorporating the Cost of Living allowance of Rs. 17,500 into the new basic salary.
Medical officers will see significant pay hikes as well. Currently, a newly recruited doctor (MO) earns Rs. 54,290. Under the new salary structure, their basic salary will increase to Rs. 91,750. Additionally, their hourly overtime rate will increase from Rs. 687 to Rs. 764.
These salary adjustments, set to be implemented from April 1, 2025, will benefit all government employees through structured increments based on their respective pay scales.
