MP claims parliamentary salaries have increased by Rs. 60,000

A claim that the monthly salary of Members of Parliament has been increased by Rs. 60,000 sparked a heated exchange in Parliament.

Ramanathan Archchuna told the House that an MP's monthly salary now stands at Rs. 484,000. Holding up what he said was his payslip, he criticised the salary increase, questioning why lawmakers' pay could be raised while lower-income public sector employees had not received similar increases.

The remarks prompted an intervention from government MP Upul Kithsiri, who called on Archchuna to confine his speech to the matter under discussion.

In response, Archchuna alleged that he was being treated differently from other members, claiming that others were allowed to speak more freely while he was repeatedly interrupted.

Presiding over the sitting, MP Kithsiri subsequently announced that any statements made by Archchuna in violation of the Standing Orders would be removed from the official parliamentary record.

Archchuna responded by stating that he believed government members would one day be held legally accountable.