Salaries of MPs not increased for 20 years: State Minister

22 August 2023 01:02 pm - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Claiming that salaries of Parliamentarians have not been increased for 20 years, State Minister Shantha Bandara today raised concerns that the media had falsely reported that all 225 MPs have requested the import of duty-free vehicles.

The Minister told Parliament that the media had reported that the MPs had requested to import duty-free vehicles and refuted the reports saying that it was false and said those responsible for spreading such reports should be brought before the Committee of Privileges.

He said no MP would make such a request when the country was facing an acute economic crisis and farmers were facing serious issues due to the prevailing dry spell.

The Minister said the MPs had been given the privilege of importing a duty-free vehicle from the time of late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and added that considering the current situation of the country, no MP had made such a request.

He said salaries of MPs have not been increased for 20 years and they were managing the situation with great difficulty.

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said the Finance Ministry had not received any requests from the MPs to import duty free vehicles. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

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Massdeen Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:16 PM

All MPs can wait till 2048 when the country developed by the President can increase your salaries. What about all the commissions you all receive that’s more than enough

Jagath Ekanaya Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:20 PM

Pohotuwa politicians don't need salaries as they live luxurious lives solely on bribes and commisions and other illegal activities.

Is this the problem Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:24 PM

Commission per cent would have been increased

Sam Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:25 PM

Check Gross pay, including commissions

Voter Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:28 PM

Why salary at all for parliamentarians? The biggest joke of the century….

Megan Perera Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:30 PM

Salaries not incre, but bribe taking increased 1000 times.what else he wants.

Sokrates Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:45 PM

Why raise salaries? These are just peanuts for MPs. They make most of their money through corruption and illegal business. MPs who are not rich after one term have done something wrong.

ravin Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:55 PM

ha haa ! why tax payers should pay a salary to someone who dose not do any job of useful work. Secondly what benefit the country is getting back as a result of paying salaries? Thirdly if they have done a good job of work will the country is in brinks of bankruptcy? Any idiot who is paying for anything must get some results for their spending.

N.M. Perera Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:57 PM

MPs are the Richest !! What rubbish is this request !! Import quality Drugs instead. Permits must be banned. Give them Push Cycles !!

Citizen Silva Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:58 PM

Their salaries should be done away with immediately and that should be distributed among the farmers

happy relative of a Minister Tuesday, 22 August 2023 02:01 PM

Although salaries of MPs have not increased for 20 years, Commissions, Bribery, fees charges for Licensing, Payments received when handing over the country's assets to local and foreign companies and money earned from other forms of corruption have skyrocketed. So why complain?

Lanka Tuesday, 22 August 2023 02:10 PM

No need to increes their salaries. They know how to earn in illegal ways.

Roger Tuesday, 22 August 2023 02:39 PM

People are there without jobs. At least you are getting 1 salary per month. Be grateful

Spartacus Tuesday, 22 August 2023 02:49 PM

For what salary increase? For bankrupting this country? For making absolutely stupid policies? For making this country corrupt to the core? For making some of the most hilarious and embarassing development projects that other countries are laughing.

Labby Tuesday, 22 August 2023 02:53 PM

Increments to Members of Parliament should be 'performance based' and not periodically by default.

N V Jen Tuesday, 22 August 2023 02:55 PM

You need a salary raise also, after all successive lawmakers brought bankruptcy and shame to the nation?

Wiraj Tuesday, 22 August 2023 02:58 PM

Most of the time there is no quorum in the Parliament. Further there is total misgovernance since independence. Therefore you lot payback all salaries and perks received all these years and leave the masses in peace.

Jo Tuesday, 22 August 2023 03:01 PM

Poor honorable, they are trying so hard to serve the public and develop the country, they have even forgotten their salaries. Don't know how they are educating their children in international schools and foreign countries and their medical treatments aboard? Let start some hat collection to support them.

Gamini Tuesday, 22 August 2023 03:05 PM

What increase, they should not be paid any salary. This is not a job, it is a service

Tilak Tuesday, 22 August 2023 03:05 PM

Those who want a salary should find a job

Nuwan Tuesday, 22 August 2023 03:09 PM

It should be increased to a level that they don't have to swindle public money. In developed countries the politician salaries are quite high.

Terrence K Tuesday, 22 August 2023 03:17 PM

These parasites want a salary increase doing nothing and speaking nonesense!

Ram Tuesday, 22 August 2023 03:21 PM

Salaries not increased but allowances increased and more added. These parasites will never be satisfied.

Devinda Tuesday, 22 August 2023 04:15 PM

What about the various allowance, including those in kind that cost more since 20 years ago. e.g.. fuel and housing for starters.

Ranjith Tuesday, 22 August 2023 06:23 PM

Before salary increments of members of parliament all 225 members should declare their assets and wealth.

Kps Tuesday, 22 August 2023 09:25 PM

Salaries for what ? All the commissions Will cover the entire family for generations.

Ssz khhan Tuesday, 22 August 2023 09:39 PM

Already you are enjoying perks that is more than salary. IF YOU ARE NNOT HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU GET; JUST QUIT....

Gb Tuesday, 22 August 2023 11:23 PM

If they want salaries increased ban them from owning businesses, salary should be only income, developed countries give no benefits to mps only during time of service can they use state vehicles and security, allowing mps to operate businesses means they bully or shut down competitors, give unfair advantages to themselves, commissions , all these mps do is bend the law to benefit themselves, mps are servants of the public, not the other way around, corruption is why sl is dying yet they want more and more, thieves and murderers shouldn't be in positions of power

Pantha Kumaran Wednesday, 23 August 2023 01:08 AM

Our politicians make mega money by way of commission, back hand payments and introduction fees. Isn;t it enough ????????

Vadivelu Yogaratnam Wednesday, 23 August 2023 01:41 AM

Taking unlimited bribe is there salary increase, Lankan parliamentarians world famous for bribery should be in genius books record.

Lal.Fernando. Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:18 AM

How these free loaders (MPS) COME WITH THIS TYPE OF ARGUMENTS. Not HAVING A PAY INCREASE FOR SO MANY YEARS? HOW ABOUT DUTY FREE VEHICLES, FREE MEALS AND OTHER ENTITLEMENTS? Why not show your wealth when entering politics and current wealth.IT SHOULD BE DONE ON A YEARLY BASIS.

Observer Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:21 AM

Brother do not worry salary for MP's is just pocket money. Their Santhosa Payment is many times their legal salary.

Mahila Wednesday, 23 August 2023 04:02 AM

20 Years??? - 2003 CE!!! That YEAR, saw the "Rising of the Scourge" and Infamy of Aggrandisement, Corruption, Nepotism, Rape, Murder and lack of Accountability!!?? Leading Country, to Bankruptcy, Starvation, Essentials’ Deprivation, Doomed with “Organics”, ending up in the 'JAWS of IMF', instead of aspirational “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”!!!?? Coupled with ‘Constitutional Tinkering’, ‘Monkeying Jurisprudence’ making SL a ‘JOKE’, Nation State CATEGORISED worldwide as "BASKET CASE"!!?? Indicted as Alleged!!!?? No explanations required or accepted!? BAD Pedigree – REQUEST DECLINED!!!??? BTW, Looks like these 225 (-1) trying enable ‘PLOY ALLUDED’ – Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, CEB promoted 30year Employee DGM (Enhanced Salary) day prior to RETIREMENT! Boost Pension Pay! Incidently Elections/Dissolution NOT LATER - 1 year away!!!??? GOOD TRY though, UNACCEPTABLE!!!??? Boost Pensions 225-1!!??? Kanchana only EXCEPTION???? Supremo Natasha ‘VANQUISHED’!!!???

Abd Wednesday, 23 August 2023 06:02 AM

As a result of their inability and corruption, now country announced its bankruptcy but this selfish fellow expecting salary increase,for what ,ask after developing the country in 2048 ,we are waiting to abolish your unethical pension too in near future

Kokis Sumana Wednesday, 23 August 2023 10:52 AM

Shantha Bandara, yes specially Potuwa Mps are working very hard with the President to solve the current crisis. Well, they should be given a good salary increment, if the Govt. cannot consider - leave all of them to us, we will fulfill their desires with our weapons.

Prof. D.J. Chandrasena Wednesday, 23 August 2023 10:56 AM

225 Members of Parliament are honest citizens of SriLanka, that is what you want to say Mr. Shantha Bandara. 225 Luxury cars plus 100% salary increase should be given to them as they work day and night. Ha... Ha.... Ha..., Ha....

Dr. R.J. Frank Perera Wednesday, 23 August 2023 10:59 AM

Shut your dirty mouth Shantha Bandara before we open our filthy mouths. Cars!!! Salary increase !!! when the general public is in the verge nearing the death, you guys need to enjoy a luxury life.

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Salaries of MPs not increased for 20 years: State Minister

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