In the midst of controversy surrounding the significant salary raise for Central Bank employees, a prominent parliamentary committee has requested a detailed report from the Central Bank regarding the legal basis for implementing such a salary increment without parliamentary approval.
MP Gamini Waleboda, the Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis, disclosed that the issue of the salary hike was brought up during the committee meeting held on Thursday in the presence of Central Bank officials.
Waleboda mentioned that the Central Bank is anticipated to present the report on the salary increment in the upcoming week. Following the submission of the report, the Central Bank and its Monetary Board will be called before the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis.
He highlighted that the committee expressed strong disapproval of the 70% salary increase for Central Bank employees amid the economic crisis, deeming it an unethical action.
“We have directed the Central Bank to furnish a report justifying the salary increase by next week. They are required to outline the legal provisions that empower them to enact such an increment. Upon receiving the report, we will summon the Central Bank and its Monetary Board,” he stated.
During the current parliamentary sessions, both government and opposition MPs voiced criticism against the Central Bank’s decision to raise the salary scales by 70%. Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella asserted that the Central Bank Act does not contain any provision for increasing the salaries of Central Bank employees without parliamentary approval, deeming it an illegal action.
