UNP claims it improved teachers’ lot under yahapalana govt.

By Piyasena Dissanayake

UNP Chairman and former minister Wajira Abeywardena says the plight of teachers and principals would have been unfathomable today if not for the salary increments given the Yahapalana government.

“Those who blame us for many things have to admit that the situation of teachers and principals would have been much more miserable if not for the salary increments given to them by that government,” the UNP chairman said, speaking at a meeting of UNP activists in the Karandeniya electorate.

“Within 48 hours of assuming duties as the prime minister’s office on 08 Jan., 2015, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe reduced the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, essential food commodities and increased salaries of public servants. Basic salary of a teacher in Grade 3-II was increased from Rs 13,410 to Rs 27,740. The basic salary of a teacher of Grades 3-IC, 3-IB, 3-1A was at Rs 14,800. It was increased to Rs 29,540. Basic salary of a teacher of Grade 2-II was increased from Rs 18,950 to Rs 35,130 while the basic salary of a Grade 1-I was increased from Rs 21,750 to Rs 44,550.

“The basic salary of a Grade III principal was at Rs 17,060 and it was increased to Rs 35,280. A Grade II Principal drew Rs 19,370 basic salary then and it was increased to Rs 40,040. The basis salary of a Grade I principal was increased to Rs 46,325 from Rs 22,415.

“The basic salary of Grade I of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service official was increased from Rs 36,755 to Rs 76,175. A Grade III official of SLEAS received only a basic salary of Rs 22,935 a month and it was increased to Rs 47,615. A Grade II official drew a basic salary of Rs 30,175 and it was increased to Rs 62,595.

“Those increments were given at a time when the world economy was in recession. On average we increased the salaries of teachers and principals by 107 percent. There are many who blame the former government for various ills in society today, but the truth is that it was that government which really gave something to people. If not for what that government had given, the situation of teachers and principals today under this government would have been so miserable,” the former minister said.

Associated with the UNP Chairman was Karandeniya UNP organiser Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Somiratne.