Chief Opposition Whip Kiriella denies asking for raise

By Saman Indrajith

Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella yesterday told Parliament that social media and newspapers had misreported him by stating that he had called for a salary increase the MPs at the last party leaders’ meeting.

Making a special statement with the permission from the Chair, MP Kiriella said: The Parliament Business Committee meeting under the chairmanship of the Speaker usually discusses the facilities and privileges accorded to the MPs, their houses the security provided to them etc.  During the last meeting the matter of MPs affected by the pandemic situation was discussed and their economic difficulties too had been raised. During that meeting I brought to the notice of the committee a motion presented and got passed in this parliament by late Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. Although my point had a legal basis, the committee decided not to ask for a salary increase at this time.

“After that meeting there were reports in social media and newspapers that I had asked for a raise. This should be corrected. I also table the motion presented to this House by former Minister Fernandopulle,” MP Kiriella said.