MPs perturbed over media reports on cost of feeding them

Government and Opposition members yesterday raised concerns over reports on the food served to them in parliament and urged the Speaker to submit a detailed report on this matter.

MP S.M. Marikkar said media reported that millions of rupees were spent on MPs' food and that it was waste of money.

"It is not only the MPs but there are more than a 1,000 parliamentary staff while some 700 government officers, police and media personnel also visit parliament. People only point fingers at us. We are served the same food every day. Please submit a detailed report to parliament on the expenditure incurred on food," he said.

MP Mahinda Amaraweera said it was the same menu every day and that they are charged Rs.250 for food.

"We even pay Rs. 650 for food when we take visitors to parliament. Submit a report on the expenses for food," he also told the Speaker.

MP Chaminda Wijesiri proposed that serving food to MPs should be stopped and students and those visiting parliament should be served with food instead but the Speaker said it was not possible to do so. (Ajith Siriwardana)