Cabinet approval has been granted to increase the salaries and allowances of more than 13,000 Grama Niladhari officers and accordingly the draft of the service constitution has been submitted for the approval of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish the Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Service.
Home Affairs State Minister Ashoka Priyantha revealed this yesterday in Parliament on behalf of the State Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister.
He was responding to a query by National People’s Power Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake under Standing Order 27/2.
Accordingly, a new salary code named GN will be created for Grama Niladhari officers and the basic salary of an officer will be increased from Rs.28,940 to 30,140. The basic salary of a grade Two officer will be increased to Rs.33,690 and the basic salary of a Grade One officer will be increased to Rs.38,590.
Monthly office allowance within the respective local council limits is Rs. 1000 to 2,000 and within the Municipal Council limits Rs.1500 to 3000. The Cabinet has also approved to increase the annual stationery allowance of Rs.1,500 to Rs. to 3,000.
These revisions will come into effect from April 1, 2024. In addition to this, the Public Administration Ministry Secretary has also been ordered to take measures in consultation with the Treasury to increase other uniforms, travel and communication allowances while preparing the 2025 budget.
The State Minister said Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the Cabinet Minister in charge of the subject and he continued to discuss with the representatives of the Grama Niladhari union and worked to provide them this increase.
He said that in the discussion held on May 20, 2024 under the chairmanship of State Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry Secretary, the representatives of the Union of Grama Niladhari Officials have explained the facts about this solution. State Minister Priyantha further said that the granting of 1,942 new Grama Niladhari appointments is also a great achievement.
(Daily News)
