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Committee headed by retired SC Judge to recommend limits on retired politicians’ benefits
The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (30th) approved a proposal by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to appoint a committee tasked with submitting a detailed report within two months, providing recommendations to limit the entitlements, allowances, and privileges granted to MPs, ministers, and former presidents that place an unnecessary burden on the Treasury, or to suggest alternative methods.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, in her capacity as Minister of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, put forward the proposal.
The MPs, ministers, and former presidents currently receive various entitlements and privileges, including salaries, allowances, pensions, official residences, vehicles, staff, office equipment, and security personnel, according to Cabinet spokesperson, Minister Vijitha Herath.
He noted that these benefits place a significant financial burden on the government, which is funded by public taxes. As a result, the following committee has been appointed to review these entitlements and recommend measures to curtail them: K.T. Chithrasiri (Chairman) – Retired Supreme Court Judge, D. Dissanayaka – Retired Ministry Secretary and Jayantha C.T. Bulumulla – Retired District Secretary.
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“Improve the quality of infrastructure and services provided to tourists visiting the country.” – President
President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the necessity of providing high-quality infrastructure and services for tourists visiting Sri Lanka, as the country has gained significant international recognition as an attractive tourist destination.
Accordingly, the President instructed officials to pay special attention to this matter and take necessary actions.
President Disanayake issued these instructions during a discussion held today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Tourism.
During the discussion, officials briefed the President on the budgetary allocations designated for the Ministry of Tourism and the projects being implemented under those funds.
With the tourism sector taking a new step forward, Sri Lanka aims to attract three million tourists this year. The discussion also extensively covered the utilization of these budgetary allocations for the development of essential infrastructure to support this goal.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, along with a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, attended this discussion.
The French Navy Ship PROVENCE arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Sunday (16 Mar 25) morning.
She was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with the time-honoured naval traditions.
The 142.20m long Destroyer is Commanded by Captain Lionel SIEGFRIED and manned by a crew of 160 members.
During the stay in the island, crew members of PROVENCE will visit some tourist hotspots in the country and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 20 Mar.
The Court of Appeal this [17] morning dismissed the writ petition filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, seeking an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court against him.
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