Commission pay hike given despite protests

Furor in Parliament over candidates for CC

By Rathindra Kuruwita
Despite Opposition MP’s vehement objection to increasing the salaries of Chairmen and members of several Commissions, the pay hike was granted in Parliament yesterday. Salaries were increased by 50% with arrears for 2006 and 2007 also being paid.

As reason for their objection, the UNP claimed that the appointments were made by the President without appointing the Constitutional Council (CC).

The current salaries for the Commissions in question are as follows. Public Service Commission (PSC) - Chairman Rs. 79,000, members Rs 30,000. National Police Commission (NPC) - Chairman Rs. 79,400, members Rs 30,000. Commission to Investigate Bribery and Corruption (CIBC) - Chairman Rs 80,400, members Rs 77,000. Human Rights Commission (HRC) - Chairman Rs 79,400, members Rs 30,000. National Education Commission (NEC) - Chairman Rs 79,400, Vice Chairman Rs 62,000.

“Four of these Commissions are directly linked with the CC. It is the CC which should appoint the members of these Commissions. That is why these Commissions are called ‘Independent Commissions,’ JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. “But members of the present Commissions were appointed by the President and thus they can not be called Independent anymore. So, if these Commissions are in no state to perform their duties, I do not see why we should give these men a salary hike,” he added.

The President is trying to hold the entire State sector hostage by appointing his loyal supporters to key positions, the JVP MP added. He pointed out that even the General Secretary of Parliament is appointed on a weekly basis. “I’m not saying that Kithulegoda is acting in a biased manner, but what I’m saying is that the President is keeping him dependant on his mercy,” he said.

Meanwhile, UNP MP Joseph Michael Perera told Parliament that by not appointing the CC and filling the independent Commissions with his minions, the President is violating the Constitution. “The election of two provinces will be held in weeks. And, at a time when the police should be independent, they seem to be carrying out government agenda. There is nothing we can do, because there is no ‘independent’ Police Commission. The Government is intentionally delaying the appointment of the CC to politicise the State sector,” he said.