evidence: Taking a firm stance President Wickremesinghe and his government said public sector employees will not receive another salary increase this year, as Sri Lanka prepares for Presidential and General elections. [...] Siriwardana pointed out that if government employees are given a salary increase of Rs 10,000, an additional Rs 140 billion will be needed annually. If the salary is increased by Rs 20,000, an additional Rs 280 billion will be required. To generate this income, taxes would need to be increased. For example, to fund a Rs 1,000 salary increase, the VAT would need to be raised by 2%. [...] Taking the plan ahead, President Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed a special salary increment for non-executive State sector employees who reported to duty on Monday (8) and Tuesday (9 for the approval of the Cabinet.