Govt to cut MPs travel perks

State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has proposed cutting travel perks for parliamentarians to reduce government expenditure.

He has sent a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena calling for stern financial policy for MPs and ministry staff when using public money. Abeywardena has requested the President to personally intervene to implement a strong fiscal management system.

The Minister has suggested that MPs travel in business class on official visits instead of first class, issuing only economy class air tickets for officials, and stay in low-priced hotel rooms.

He has also proposed to minimise the number of participants for foreign visits and deploy officials from the Embassy in the relevant country.

The Minister has proposed a system to permit Secretaries and other officials only for essential foreign visits and inform Secretaries and other officials on financial management and monitoring.

- Colombo Page