Ministers to forgo half their salary

The cabinet has decided to reduce the salaries of the ministers, non cabinet ministers and deputy ministers by 50% for six months, said the cabinet spokesman and minister, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in the press conference held to brief the weekly cabinet decisions.

According to this the minister’s salary has been reduced by 75 per cent. Rs. 15,000/= reduction was made in the salaries of the ministry secretaries.

 It is alleged that the coast of living could be brought under control if the number of cabinet ministers were reduced. Whichever party comes to power cannot do this unless a single party has the majority to form a government. The present government is a coalition of all parties and the ministries are spending very little money. The government has given priority for Education, Health and Development works, he said.