How to read and check a payslip in Sri Lanka
Read every line, reproduce the calculation, match net pay to the bank credit, and verify statutory remittances independently. This checklist covers regular Sri Lankan payslips with APIT, EPF and ETF.
Five checks that catch most payslip problems
Treat the payslip as a calculation record, then use independent evidence for payment and remittance.
- 01
Confirm identity and pay period
Check the employer, employee, designation, pay period and any EPF member or payroll identifiers. A correct calculation attached to the wrong employee or month is still a payroll error.
- 02
Rebuild gross earnings
Add basic salary, fixed and variable allowances, overtime, commission and other earnings. Compare the sum with gross remuneration and note which payments payroll treated as EPF/ETF eligible.
- 03
Recalculate every deduction
Check APIT against taxable employment income, employee EPF against the contribution base, stamp duty where applicable, and every loan, advance, no-pay or other deduction separately.
- 04
Reconcile net pay to the bank
Gross earnings minus all employee deductions must equal net pay. The amount credited to the bank should then match net pay, allowing only for a clearly identified split payment or prior adjustment.
- 05
Verify remittance outside the payslip
Use official EPF and ETF member services to check posted contributions. Obtain the employer-issued APIT T-10 certificate for annual tax deductions. A printed line on a payslip is not independent proof that money reached the fund or IRD.
What each payslip line means
| Payslip line | What it records | How to check it |
|---|---|---|
| Gross earnings | Basic salary plus allowances, overtime and other earnings for the period. | Add every earnings line. The total should equal the stated gross. |
| APIT / PAYE | Income tax withheld by the employer and payable to the IRD. | Compare regular primary-employment tax with the current APIT calculator. |
| Employee EPF | Normally 8% of contribution-eligible total monthly earnings. | Divide the deduction by 8% to infer the earnings base used by payroll. |
| Other deductions | Loans, advances, no-pay, welfare, insurance or other payroll items. | Ask for the basis of any unfamiliar amount and compare it with prior records. |
| Net pay | The amount remaining after employee-side deductions. | Gross minus APIT, employee EPF, stamp duty and other deductions must equal net. |
| Employer EPF / ETF | Employer-funded contributions, normally at least 12% EPF and 3% ETF. | They should be shown separately and must not reduce employee net pay. |
Verify APIT
APIT, still often labelled PAYE, is deducted from taxable employment income. For current 2026/27 regular primary employment, MyPayslip uses the rates effective from 1 April 2025. Compare the monthly figure with the APIT calculator, then obtain the employer-issued T-10 certificate for the annual record.
Verify EPF and ETF
Employee EPF is normally 8% and employer EPF at least 12% of eligible total monthly earnings. ETF is 3% paid by the employer. Check posted contributions through the official member services; do not treat the payslip line alone as proof of remittance.
Red flags worth questioning
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether my Sri Lankan payslip is correct?
Recalculate gross earnings, APIT and employee EPF, then confirm that gross minus all employee deductions equals net pay and that net pay matches the bank credit. Separately verify EPF and ETF contributions through their official member services and obtain the annual APIT T-10 certificate from your employer.
Does a payslip prove that EPF, ETF and APIT were remitted?
No. A payslip records what payroll says was deducted or contributed. Confirm EPF and ETF against official member balances or contribution history, and compare annual APIT deductions with the employer-issued T-10 certificate.
Is ETF deducted from an employee's salary in Sri Lanka?
No. ETF is a 3% employer-funded contribution and should not reduce employee net pay. Employee EPF is normally deducted at 8% of eligible total monthly earnings, while the employer separately contributes at least 12% EPF.
What should I do when my payslip and official contribution balance disagree?
First ask payroll for the contribution period, employer EPF number, member number and remittance evidence because posting can be delayed or identifiers can be wrong. If the issue is not resolved, the Department of Labour complaint service includes nonpayment of EPF and salary or wage matters.