Fact Check
To check this claim, FactCheck.lk consulted data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Annual Reports.
Data from the CBSL shows that on average from 2016 – 2019, only 44% of government revenue was spent on salaries, wages, and pensions of public servants, which falls very much below the MP’s stated figure. In 2020, 77% of government revenue was spent on the same. The increase in the percentage results mainly from a 28% reduction in government revenue, as well as from a 15% increase in expenditure on salaries, wages, and pensions.
The percentage of government revenue spent on salaries, wages and pensions has normally been under 50% of government revenue. Even in 2020, when the percentage was unusually high, it was still significantly below what the MP claimed.
Therefore, we classify his statement as FALSE.
**FactCheck.lk’s verdict is based on the most recent information that is publicly accessible. As with every fact check, if new information becomes available, FactCheck.lk will revisit the assessment.
Sources
Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Annual Reports (2016 – 2020), available at: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/publications/economic-and-financial-reports/annual-reports [last accessed: 7 September 2021]