The United National Party Parliamentary group today decided that the salaries of Parliamentarians, Deputy Ministers and Cabinet ministers should not be increased for the next two years. 

Commenting on the matter, State Minister Ajith P Perera confirmed that the Parliamentary group of the party arrived at this decision.

The decision was unanimous and the party would officially inform the Speaker of the decision. 

A proposal was recently presented to the Speaker by party leaders on increasing the salaries of MPs by 215%, placing them on the same salary scale with judges. 

The move to increase salaries of lawmakers has been widely criticized by many quarters.