The Samagi Jana Balawegaya has questioned the government as to why it cannot resolve teacher and principal salary anomalies, if sufficient funds exist for development projects.
Speaking during a media briefing Parliamentarian SM Marikkar said the government has failed to resolve prevailing issues through discussions.
MP Marikkar said doctors, the World Health Organisation and the Public Health Inspector’s Union of Sri Lanka have warned of the prevailing risk in the country.
He claimed at a time the conduct of PCR tests has reduced considerably, around 2,000 COVID-19 cases are detected daily.
Commenting on teachers salary anomalies MP Marikkar said, the government has funds to construct flyovers and elevated highways, adding however it lacks funds to pay a reasonable salary to teachers.
MP SM Marikkar added when the good governance government came into power it increased salaries of state sector employees by Rs.10,000, which is why teachers receive their current salary.
He noted in 2019 after considering teachers requests, necessary steps were taken to allocate funds for teacher salaries through the Budget, adding however the government changed at the time.
The MP stated the good governance government made necessary provisions to pay an additional Rs.180 billion, to increase salaries of all state sector workers by Rs.10,000.
He added it was done at a time that the prices of gas, fuel and other essential goods were also reduced.
