Opposition Parliamentarian, attorney Udaya Gammanpila said that MPs who criticise the salary hike at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) should put their words into action by endorsing his Private Member Bill, which seeks the repeal of the CBSL's decision.

In a context where the CBSL’s decision has sparked controversy within the country’s Legislature, taking the question of whether the CBSL has the autonomy to make such a decision without the approval of the Parliament, MP Gammanpila presented a Private Member Bill last week to amend certain provisions of the recently passed CBSL Act, No. 16 of 2023.

Against this backdrop, when contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (21), the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Gammanpila said that he does not intend to hold any discussions with the MPs in particular to seek their support to get the said Bill passed, as they have a moral right to endorse it if they verbally display their opposition to the CBSL move. Gammanpila also noted that he has created an opportunity for the MPs from both sides to put their words into action. 

“We see that everyone is questioning the legitimacy and morality of the particular decision. But, no one took any action against it. That is why I moved this Bill. As the majority of the MPs are opposed to it, it will not be necessary to seek their help in particular, but, I am ready to discuss with the MPs if any changes are proposed to the content of the Bill. Otherwise, they have to ‘walk the talk’,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance has recommended that President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Finance Minister, appoint an independent committee related to remuneration, in concurrence with the Governor of the CBSL Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, to review the recent salary increase of the CBSL staff, and to stop the salary increase until a mutually acceptable decision is arrived at based on the said independent committee’s report.