Rs.1bn required to cover CHOGM costs

23 November 2013 03:29 am

The government yesterday presented a supplementary estimate seeking Parliamentary approval for supplementary allocations of over one billion rupees, spent on various activities related to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Of this amount, Parliamentary approval was sought to obtain Rs. 446 million to cover the expenses made to purchase security equipment by the Police Department for the CHOGM. Another, Rs.200 million was sought to cover the expenses made by the External Affairs Ministry for the event.

The Ministry of Mass Media has spent Rs. 33 million on public awareness programmes related to the CHOGM. The other expenses have been made by the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force.

This amount involves expenses made for the provision of food, vehicle maintenance, postal and communication services, staff training and acquisition of furniture and office accessories in view of the CHOGM. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)