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MPs given Rs.100,000 to help constituents: PM

28 November 2016 04:09 pm - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The monthly payment of Rs.100,000 to be given to each MP is not a take-home allowance but one which will be used to help the people in their constituencies, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

He said this allowance would be given to MPs for giving gifts to the people in their constituencies.

"MPs are usually invited to weddings in their constituencies. They attend funerals as well. The proposed allowance is to be used for giving wedding gifts and making donations for funerals," the Prime Minister said.

He emphasized the fact of there being a need to increase the salaries of MPs.

"The Daily Mirror has published the story about the payment of Rs.100,000 to the MPs. Its editor and the others had requested for a pay hike last year. There is no issue when their salaries are increased, but give the impression that it is wrong to increase the salaries of MPs," the Prime Minister said.

"These newspapers encourage extremism and hit out at me because I am not an extremist."

He also responded to a comment made by Chief Opposition Whip Anura Dissanayake, who said the Prime Minister had threatened the Daily Mirror on several occasions.

The Prime Minister said he would not hesitate to hit out at the media if they hit out at him.

"I cannot attack the Wijeya Newspapers or burn the press. These are properties that belong to my uncle. Sirasa belongs to my one-time friend Kili Maharajah who has attacked me several times but did I burn it?" he asked.

"I will only hit back verbally if the media hits me and will never go beyond a verbal retort," (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 23

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  • King ping Tuesday, 29 November 2016 09:06 AM

    Media is allowed to bash only MR.

    ranmala Wednesday, 30 November 2016 10:32 AM

    MP's deserve nothing. They are simply useless. Give all the money to Gammedda. They will do a good job.

    Kali Amman Tuesday, 29 November 2016 03:37 PM

    PM's absurd statement reminds me of the French Revolution in a way, when people were asked to eat cake if bread cannot be found.This is not the same but a similar insensitive utterance,telling the people no matter how you suffer we the rulers in the Parliament want to have it all.People are being taxed unmercifully, the poor, the lower and middle/middle clase find its extremely difficult to make ends meet due to ever rising cost of living. Inside and out side the Parliament many are screaming at the top of their voices to bring to the notice of the Yahapalana fellows these unbearable economic difficulties. How do the President and Prime Minister react in this situation? Give duty free luxury vehicles, vehicle allowences and now an allowence unheard of anywhere in the world to give gifts to the voters. These two are trying to compel the people to get on to the street and re-enact the Frech Revolution. Get loss for goodness sake if you are so insensitive to peoples sufferings.

    Selfless Tuesday, 29 November 2016 02:11 PM

    We the people have shoulder the heavy burden of debts Incurred by the previous government, now we are facing the great blunder Ranil is making.This is daylight robbery.

    Janaka Tuesday, 29 November 2016 01:44 PM

    King Kakille returns...

    silva Tuesday, 29 November 2016 01:30 PM

    This is complete U turn of yahapalnaya principles. what a joke of wedding gifts and bla bla bla

    Rhonda Taylor Tuesday, 29 November 2016 12:04 PM

    Permission should be sought by the government to the tax payers who pay these useless louts to sleep in Parliament. Aren't they eating our hard earned money??? why should we pay them more they are the most privileged MP's in the whole of Asia. Even the MPs in Australia do not get perks as our idiots get.The Tax payer has the right to vote is they should get salary or increased wages as the money belongs to us TAX PAYERS and none of them are worth even one cent

    Jayantha Tuesday, 29 November 2016 11:33 AM

    Dont worry,this is the gift we are given for voting them,more jokes to hear !

    juanis Tuesday, 29 November 2016 10:28 AM

    wedding and funeral allowance? what a lame reason

    indi Tuesday, 29 November 2016 10:16 AM

    This is the most stupid word i heard from Ranil. I and my family repent now voting him at the last general election. very sad Ranil to here your words.

    ravin Tuesday, 29 November 2016 10:14 AM

    Enough of fooling masses.

    haramanis Tuesday, 29 November 2016 09:09 AM

    Only now I understand why we are borrowing all that money

    Bala Monday, 28 November 2016 05:30 PM

    So the taxpayers give the MPs money to be given to their voters and get credit. What a convoluted way for MPs to buy votes. And Rs.100,000 for weddings and funerals EVERY month. What guarantee that they will spend on voters ? They will pocket this too.

    arju Tuesday, 29 November 2016 09:00 AM

    please buy and distribute Punnakku to your loyalists from this money. They deserve a treat. via DM Android App

    Perera Tuesday, 29 November 2016 08:59 AM

    Dear Prime Minister, This is a big joke. People gave you power to take care of the masses. Not to increase ministers allowances, or luxury vehicles in addition to the duty free permits for the MP

    Sri Lankan Tuesday, 29 November 2016 08:08 AM

    Charity begins at home!!

    openmind Tuesday, 29 November 2016 07:53 AM

    I never expected such a foolish explanation by a prominent politician like you.What can we expect from other politicians.Disgraceful....

    Sunil Tuesday, 29 November 2016 07:15 AM

    Oh yes of course, what a nice idea. We can trust these politicians to use this money for the benefit of the people.

    concern Tuesday, 29 November 2016 06:50 AM

    What about another Rs.100,000.00 for the clothes to the functions !!!!

    Sathees Monday, 28 November 2016 10:40 PM

    People, our elected officials are doing party politics and bribery to be in power. They are not worried about people who elected them.

    Ahmed Monday, 28 November 2016 10:02 PM

    whats happening to our lovely country ?

    Ranga Monday, 28 November 2016 06:16 PM

    This is crazy ....

    Banda Monday, 28 November 2016 05:50 PM

    Im SpeechlessIts our tax money for godsake. via DM Android App


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