Speaking at the Development Officers' national convention, he said the government refused to provide a Rs. 25,000 increase citing insufficent funds when government servants resorted a strike demanding a pay hike a few months ago and said if President Ranil Wickremesinghe really wanted, he could do it even now.

"How can the government find money to increase salaries in January as promised? The government could not increase government employees' salaries one and a half months ago when they demanded a pay hike, claiming that there were no funds. This is a lie," he said.

He said the NPP has included in its election manifesto that the government employees will be provided with salaries every six months in propotionate to the cost of living.

"It is not an increment given on election time or when employees resort to strikes. It is an increment which will be given on a regular basis.The government must take care of government employees," he said.

DMN