Govt to limit allowances for state officials

Steps have been taken to completely abolish the 750 USD entertainment allowance

16 March 2023 09:36 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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With the aim of saving a large amount of foreign exchange flowing out of the country, the government has decided to limit the release of allowances and related expenses for official travel abroad for state sector officials with effect from March 20, informed sources said.

Accordingly, it is reported, this decision will include Ministers, Governors, Members of Parliament, Provincial Ministers and Chairmen of Provincial Councils, Mayors, and Chairmen of Pradeshiya Sabahs.

They said that the decision has been taken in accordance with the circular F.M.01/2015/01 which took effect from May 15, 2015. Accordingly, measures have been taken to limit the allowance from 40 US dollars per day for a maximum of 30 days to 25 US dollars per day for a maximum of 15 days in the case of travelling abroad related to the development of skills such as studies, training, discussions, conferences etc.Similarly, measures have also been taken to limit the allowance from USD 75 per day for a maximum of 15 days to USD 40 per day for a maximum of 10 days when travelling abroad on behalf of the government for official missions or other foreign affairs. It has also been decided to reduce all the payments made to the first and second categories of countries under the five categories, in the payment of composite allowances by 30 per cent.

Furthermore, steps have been taken to completely abolish the 750 USD entertainment allowance that may be provided on the request of a Minister of Ministry secretary leading a foreign delegation, sources added.

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Comments - 12

Lanka Thursday, 16 March 2023 09:51 AM

Oh my God ...All this happens because of incoming elections ..these people will do anything to win the elections...if we have this ideas since 1948; we would have been better off by now ...I don't know how this kind of eye wash and patch work of austerity measures will work ..people have been milking the system for a long time ..this include MPs; officials ; and academics too...How much false claims are made by Academics in universities and yet our government and UGC don't care about it . Now after all this ; now these measures are taken ..too little and too late ...

Priyanee Wijesekera Thursday, 16 March 2023 10:04 AM

They will simply find a devious method of getting the allowances

$$$ Thursday, 16 March 2023 10:08 AM

We’ve been in financial crisis for so long and now only ur limiting these? Don’t u think it’s a little too late?

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 16 March 2023 10:24 AM

Very good move. Most of the fellows who are entitled to these privileges' are yakkos and they completely abuse this privilege. Enough is enough. Each and every Sinhalese is responsible for the bankruptcy and state criminalization of this once beautiful nation.

Mizaru Thursday, 16 March 2023 10:37 AM

Only now? This should have been done on the day Sri Lanka gloriously declared bankruptcy.

ravin Thursday, 16 March 2023 10:41 AM

monitoring must be entrusted with auditor general. Politicos and their stooges never ever to be trusted.

R De Silva Thursday, 16 March 2023 11:33 AM

Please quantify the savings.

Maqs Thursday, 16 March 2023 11:40 AM

Why implementing from March 20th? Waiting till the FM entourage returns?

Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 16 March 2023 12:46 PM

Eventhough it is too late, curbing official allowances a great step in the right direction, most of the overseas travel do not bring any tangible results to the country, it's ultimately a sightseeing and a shopping travel.

Ram Thursday, 16 March 2023 01:59 PM

This is a clear admission of how these travelling officials were overpaid in the past. Amounts mentioned about politicians is not true. We have seen questions asked in the past in Parliament about the costs

Ram Thursday, 16 March 2023 02:01 PM

Politicians must travel economy class and not business class. We have seen how big money was spent on politicians travel tickets in the past

Lost Lankan Friday, 17 March 2023 09:20 AM

Stop overseas travels by politicians have NOT brought any positive change NO benefits to community. Only free outflow of $$$$$ and begging for inflow of $$$$.

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Govt to limit allowances for state officials

Steps have been taken to completely abolish the 750 USD entertainment allowance

Comments - 12

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