Feb 1 (NS) Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha De Silva admitted that the proposed salary increase for state employees will be paid as an allowance and not be added to their basic salaries. However, JVP WPC Member K.D Lalkantha has criticized the govt for the move claiming this is not in fact an increase in salary, but a mere allowance. “We are fulfilling the promises made to state sector employees by the increasing of the salary,” Dr. De Silva said adding that a change in the basic salary