COLOMBO: A number of opposition-controlled, low-income local government bodies are facing a severe crisis in paying employee salaries due to the government’s decision to cease employee salary reimbursements.
According to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National Organizer Tissa Attanayake, the primary reason for this situation is the government’s notification that it will no longer provide the 20% salary reimbursement. He emphasized that while previous governments have consistently reimbursed these funds for salary payments, these funds have not been received this time.
Salary Payment System by Council Type:
Municipal Councils: The government provides 60% of employee salaries, with the remaining 40% to be paid from the council’s income.
Divisional Councils: The government provides 80% of employee salaries, with the remaining 20% to be paid from the council’s income.
Attanayake stated that this issue affects approximately 25% of the low-income councils controlled by the opposition. While high-income municipal councils are not significantly impacted, several low-income, remote divisional councils are severely affected. He specifically mentioned that the Laggal, Pallepola, and two Ambaganga Korale divisional councils are facing acute distress due to this problem.
It is reported that this situation could lead to delays in salary payments for employees of the affected local government bodies, potentially disrupting their daily activities.
