Only voluntary contributions from public servants-Sajith

• Government should look towards other options to generate funds at this moment

By Yohan Perera   

Public servants should be allowed to make some contribution to assist the government to resolve Covid-19 voluntarily rather than subjecting them to a compulsory pay cut, former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.   

“Public servants should be allowed to make a contribution on their own according to their wishes to help the nation to come through from the current crisis, but one cannot agree to a compulsory pay cut,” Mr. Premadasa said in a statement.   

He said government should look towards other options to generate funds at this moment. “Government is able to divert funds allocated for highways to resolve the crisis situation. Also, it is possible to postpone the general election and use the funds allocated for the polls to help the people,” he said.   

Mr. Premadasa added that managing Covid-19 relief programme effectively was important.