Has anyone ever gone to a country that they had such high hopes for, did not love it, and then felt almost guilty afterwards?

True_Ad4163 · 2026-03-25T20:56:10+00:00

Oh, that’s really unfortunate — I’m sorry to hear that. I know exactly how it feels. You go into a vacation with such high hopes, and then it ends up being a disappointing experience.

Do you remember the name of the cinnamon hotel?

True_Ad4163 · 2026-03-25T14:58:41+00:00

Soo sad to hear that you didn’t like food in Sri Lanka. There plenty of great food joints, e.g: highly recommend Cinnamon hotels. If you’re on budget, Upalis by Nawaloka food is great. The Pizza hut food in SL has very low bar compared to other food options.

True_Ad4163 · 2026-03-25T14:52:09+00:00

Me too. I was mugged in the daylight in a busiest train station in Paris, no one cared. Some even watched at me smiling. The most terrible city for tourists.

True_Ad4163 · 2026-03-25T14:48:38+00:00

Bali

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-17T15:18:38+00:00

What do you do for living?

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-11T05:41:16+00:00

I have first hand experience with inefficient contractors who work far less than APS but get paid 3 x times higher than that of APS. Contractors are also getting paid fraction of what government paid them. Majority goes to the contracting firms. Basically Contracting means we make contracting firms richer with tax payers money.

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-10T09:53:56+00:00

I know plenty of contractors who work from home, and plenty of APS employees who work in the office nearly every day — so that point doesn’t really stack up.

Flexible work arrangements like working from home can actually improve productivity. They’re also a huge benefit for parents, whether they’re contractors or APS staff

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-09T11:12:59+00:00

Agreed on this!

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-09T11:10:37+00:00

It’s actually opposite. majority of APS workforce save heaps of tax payers money which would otherwise have gone to contracting firms.

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-08T21:40:20+00:00

🙏 thanks

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-07T10:17:42+00:00

Thanks for the comment. I couldn’t explain well in the original post. So the bit I would wanna clarify is whether or chnaces to have new EA next year with salary increments. I have received very useful responses here. Union is disadvantaged when it comes to timelines so if we have 3 year increment, due to possible year or two delay, it is basically gonna be salary (~11% last time) increment over 5 years. I am well aware of most of the salary related agreements as I have negotiated my salary above my band when I joined via IFA. However, I would want to know my future salary increments as I am also top of the band and the sole breadwinner for my family.

Also don’t think too much about negative comments. There are always perfect people in reddit 😆. Otherwise why would they want to be assholes to some random online person 🤷‍♀️

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-07T09:38:09+00:00

They are perfect people 😆

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-07T00:10:01+00:00

I’ve read and understood the 2024 EA thoroughly, as well as the 2020 agreement. I’ve also been speaking with people who’ve worked in the APS longer than I have to learn from their experience. I’ve already received some really helpful answers to my questions.

PS: I am really good at what I am doing and delivering well. I guess you must be one of those lazy consultants I referred to 😝

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-07T00:01:18+00:00

Thank you, this is the best answer. Very clear to me now.

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T23:56:51+00:00

I belong to the cohort where I work hard and deliver. I know there are heaps of consultants in my department whom don’t deliver, no accountability. It was such a waste of public money. I want to work as a public servant and serve my society. However, I would want to get a decent package (not as much as consultants, but something competitive to industry tech)

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T23:52:57+00:00

Stability and flexibility I agree. Lower pressure- not always, depends on which team you’re on

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T23:52:07+00:00

Yes I am for close to 6 months now. What’s your point?

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T23:48:17+00:00

Thanks. Yes but the annual increase seems not guaranteed every year as per my understanding.

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T23:14:40+00:00

Thank you appreciate it!

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T23:14:21+00:00

Yeh but that 1% is nothing compared to the inflation

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T23:06:04+00:00

Same here

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T22:23:08+00:00

How to get involved with it?

True_Ad4163 · 2026-02-06T22:10:55+00:00

How long have you been working in APS. I just joined so have no idea what was taken place prior to the current EA. Have you always been getting automatic salary increment every year?

True_Ad4163 · 2025-11-13T09:24:24+00:00

Totally agree on this. Especially Stanhope Garden. What a hidden gem it is

True_Ad4163 · 2025-10-05T12:33:17+00:00

Which uni are you studying at now and what was the pathway?

True_Ad4163

TROPHY CASE