The payment of a minimum monthly / daily wage to all workers in any private sector industry or service in Sri Lanka was first introduced and legislated for by the passing of the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act No. 03 of 2016.
Subsequent amendments were made by Act No.48 of 2024 establishing the national minimum monthly wage at Rs.17,500/- and the national minimum daily wage at Rs.700/-.
The recent passing of Act No.11 of 2025 further amended the national minimum monthly / daily wage payable to employees as follows:
- Effective from 1st April 2025 to 31st December 2025 –
- National minimum monthly wage – Rs. 27,000 (an increment of Rs. 9,500)
- National minimum daily wage – Rs. 1,080 (an increment of Rs. 380)
- Effective from 01st January 2026 onwards –
- National minimum monthly wage – Rs. 30,000 (an increment of Rs.3,500)
- National minimum daily wage – Rs. 1,200 (an increment of Rs.120)
The Allowances under the Budgetary relief allowance of workers Act no. 36 of 2005 (as amended) and the Budgetary relief allowance of workers Act no. 04 of 2016 (as amended) will continue to apply to all eligible employees.
This Act is applicable to include any trade, business, manufacturing, agriculture, or related undertaking; persons on the employment of local authorities or corporation. The Act excludes from its application any industry, business or undertaking carried on by a corporation in which the government holds a majority of the share capital whether such share capital has been received by grant, loan or otherwise; registered cooperative societies falling under Co-operative Societies Law, No. 5 of 1972; religious and charitable institutions which falls under the Inland Revenue Act, No. 10 of 2006.
Refer to the link below for more information:
