Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera has informed President Maithripala Sirisena that no salary increase will be given to any sector until the Special Salaries Commission gives its final recommendations. 

Samaraweera has sad salary hikes given in an ad-hoc manner have contributed to larger salary anomalies in the state sector. 

Recommendations of the Salaries Commission are expected to be given in two months.

However, at a meeting held in Polonnaruwa last week, the President promised to railway trade unions that the Cabinet paper on the salaries of railway workers would be implemented. 

It was following that promise that the railway workers agreed to call off their strike. 

In an interesting turn of events, Samaraweera's decision has prevented the government from implementing the Cabinet paper, as promised by the President. 

Therefore, railway unions have threatened to launch another strike as the government, according to them, has reneged on its promises.