• Says fuel allowance adjustment mistaken for pay increase

The Government has not increased the salaries of Members of Parliament by any amount, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday (11), rejecting claims that MPs had received salary increases of Rs 50,000, Rs 60,000 or Rs 100,000.

Responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Jayatissa said the recent claims regarding an increase in MPs’ salaries were linked to adjustments made to the fuel allowance provided to MPs and Government officials.

He stressed that no salary increase, whether Rs 50,000, Rs 60,000, Rs 100,000 or any other amount, had been granted to MPs.

Explaining the basis for the payments, Jayatissa said MPs and Government officials are entitled to a specified fuel allocation, with the corresponding allowance calculated according to the prevailing fuel price.

He said that following the increase in fuel prices from March 2026, the Government had used the fuel price applicable on 1 March 2026 as the basis for calculating the allowance, rather than applying subsequent increases in fuel prices.

The relevant circular remained in effect until 1 July, after which the allowance began to be calculated based on the market fuel price prevailing at the time, he said.

Accordingly, the amount paid as the fuel allowance could increase when fuel prices rise and decrease when fuel prices fall, Jayatissa explained.

The Minister reiterated that any additional amount reflected in payments to MPs was therefore an adjustment to the fuel allowance and did not constitute an increase in their salaries.

The clarification comes amid claims circulating that MPs had received substantial salary increases at a time when the Government has been stressing fiscal discipline and expenditure control.