People talk on ministers’ salary cut

by Ananda Kannangara

While praising the decision taken by the Government to bring down the salaries of Parliament ministers in par with the salaries of Members in Parliament (MPs), the general public made various views on this issue.

A 52 year old king coconut seller P. Somasiri also welcomed the Government’s decision, but said that there is no use of reducing the salaries of Ministers if the exorbitant perks, currently being enjoyed by Ministers are not curtailed.

Mohamad Jalaldeen, a 33 year old gram seller at Maradana said that there was no use of reducing the salaries of Ministers, unless the number of members in the existing staff are reduced.

He said the Government spends a large sum of money on the maintenance of back up vehicles used by Ministers and asked the authorities to reduce them, as it is hundred times worth than reducing the salaries of Ministers.

A 24- year old office worker Ms. Irosha Senani said that better results can be obtained from the decision taken on the salaries of Ministers, but lamented as there was no clear indication that what would the Government do from the money saved from Ministers’ salaries. B. R. Ranjith, a 26 year old trishaw driver, opposite the Fort Railway Station said that there was no use of reducing the salaries of Ministers, as they spend lavishly on foreign tours with their spouses and children.

He asked the Government to reduce the number of foreign trips of Ministers and MPs, so that the Government can save more money to accelerate development activities.

A 26 year old computer operator Ruwan Kumara said that Government should not reduce the salaries of Ministers, but cut down the perks, enjoyed by them, such as reducing the unlimited fuel quotas, and luxury duty free vehicles.