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State sector pay: GOTUA seeks raise in festive advance

State sector pay: GOTUA seeks raise in festive advance

06 Jan 2025 | BY Buddhika Samaraweera


  • Wants festive advance in April to be increased to Rs. 40, 000
  • Requests equal support to children of public servant

The Sri Lanka Government Officers’ Trade Union Association (SLGOTUA), representing around 200,000 public-sector employees, has requested the Government to raise the Rs. 10,000 festival advance given to public servants for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year to Rs. 40,000.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, SLGOTUA National Organiser B.A.P. Basnayake said that the public servants are usually provided with an advance of Rs. 10,000 for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. However, he said that it should be raised to at least Rs. 40,000 in the current economic context. “There is nothing we can do with Rs. 10,000 today. In today’s context, we should receive at least Rs. 40,000. The Government made many promises to public servants during their election campaigns. We hope they will work on those promises.”

He added that besides the Rs. 6,000 allowance given to families receiving Aswesuma social welfare benefits to buy stationery for their children, similar support should be provided to other children, including those of public servants. “More than 50% of public servants have obtained loans and they have to repay them. We are also struggling to survive just like ordinary people. The Government should pay attention and provide all children with relief.”

Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Council, and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, and Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Madhura Senevirathna were not available for comment.

Under a programme proposed by the Government, an allowance of Rs. 6,000 is provided per child for families under the Aswesuma social welfare programme, distributed through the Welfare Benefits Board (WBB). Additionally, it was reported that families not eligible for Aswesuma benefits but facing specific challenges – including those with disabled parents, children in orphanages, and destitute families – will also receive the same amount per child, but such families are yet to receive the said allowance.




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