The Labour Ministry noted that the current national minimum wage is Rs 30,000 per month, compared with Rs 12,500 at the beginning of 2024. Between the beginning of 2024 and January of this year (2026), Sri Lanka’s national minimum wage has been increased by more than 87 per cent. 

The Ministry noted that it is also important to consider the significant changes that have taken place in Sri Lanka’s national minimum wage since 2024. At the beginning of 2024, the national minimum wage was Rs 12,500 per month and from 11 September 2024, the national minimum wage was increased to Rs 17,500. In addition, workers were also entitled to mandatory Budgetary Relief Allowances of Rs 3,500, which brought the total applicable minimum monthly remuneration to Rs 21,000. Sri Lanka’s national minimum wage has subsequently been increased. The national minimum wage was increased to Rs 27,000 per month with effect from April of last year (2025) and to Rs 30,000 from January 2026. The previous Budgetary Relief Allowances were also incorporated into the new minimum wage.