Responding to a question raised by UNP MPs on public sector jobs, Minister Amunugama said that the UNP had no right to talk of public sector that had been given a shoddy treatment when the party was in power. “The people have rightly responded and voted you out of power. Thus there is no debate on that matter.”

Responding to a query raised by DNA MP Sunil Hadunnetti, the minister said that all allowances except for the Cost of Living allowance received by the Government sector workers now have been added to their basic salaries. “The Cost of Living allowance is a fluctuating one. The cost of living is ever changing. That allowance could not be added to the basic salary. That allowance has been given a Rs 2,200 increase. The need to increase the CoL allowance had been highlighted by the trade union representatives during a pre-budget discussion. Once the allowances are added to the basic salary, the benefit goes to the employee as that would help increases in their pensions, overtime payments and EPF benefits,” the minister said. (Special Reporter/HC)