{"id":78325,"date":"2018-06-13T23:08:02","date_gmt":"2018-06-14T05:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=78325"},"modified":"2018-06-13T16:07:21","modified_gmt":"2018-06-13T23:07:21","slug":"the-sri-lankan-tax-payers-burden-maintaining-a-corrupt-government-that-has-lied-to-the-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2018\/06\/13\/the-sri-lankan-tax-payers-burden-maintaining-a-corrupt-government-that-has-lied-to-the-people\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sri Lankan Tax Payers burden: Maintaining a corrupt Government that has lied to the People"},"content":{"rendered":"

The present government came to power assuring the citizens of Sri Lanka an uncorrupt, transparent, no-wastage government. That promise was thrown to the bin after coming to power. The people were sold that the Cabinet would be just 25 MP (100 day program) however 19a created a bogus national government with the right to unlimited number of MPs. The abuse of power is unprecedented, not that previous governments were not uncorrupt. The difference is that this particular Alliance came to power fooling the masses that they would not be corrupt like the previous government & they are turning out to be more corrupt than all previous governments put together<\/p>\n

Number of Ministries\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a043<\/p>\n

Ministry Offices\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45<\/p>\n

Cabinet Ministers\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 42 (18 new appointments on 1st<\/sup> May 2018)<\/p>\n

State Ministers\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 24 (2 new appointments on 12 June 2018)<\/p>\n

Deputy Ministers\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22 (5 new appointments on 12 June 2018)<\/p>\n

Total\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 86 Ministers <\/strong><\/p>\n

Note: <\/strong><\/p>\n

At the August 2015 General Elections, the UNF won only 93 seats (excluding the 13 national list seats)<\/p>\n

At the August 2015 General Elections, the UPFA won 83 seats (excluding the 12 national list seats)<\/p>\n

The Office of the Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka website gives the following Cabinet portfolios as of June 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.E Maithripala Sirisena<\/td>\nMinister of Defence<\/p>\n

Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment<\/p>\n

Minister of National Integration & Reconciliation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ranil Wickremasinghe<\/td>\nMinister of National Policies and Economic Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Akila Viraj Kariyawasam<\/td>\nMinister of Education<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arjuna Ranatunga<\/td>\nMinister of Petroleum Resources Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chandrani Bandara<\/td>\nMinister of Women and Child Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gamini Jayawickrema Perera<\/td>\nMinister of Buddha Sasana<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gayantha Karunathilaka<\/td>\nMinister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harin Fernando<\/td>\nMinister of Telecommunication, Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Amarathunga<\/td>\nMinister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10.\u00a0\u00a0 M.H.A. Haleem<\/td>\nMinister of Posts, Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11.\u00a0\u00a0 Mahinda Samarasinghe<\/td>\nMinister of Ports and Shipping<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12.\u00a0\u00a0 Malik Samarawickrema<\/td>\nMinister of Development Strategies and International Trade<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13.\u00a0\u00a0 Mangala Samaraweera<\/td>\nMinister of Finance and Mass Media<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14.\u00a0\u00a0 Navin Dissanayake<\/td>\nMinister of Plantation Industries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15.\u00a0\u00a0 Nimal Siripala de Silva<\/td>\nMinister of Transport and Civil Aviation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16.\u00a0\u00a0 Patali Champika Ranawaka<\/td>\nMinister of Megapolis and Western Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17.\u00a0\u00a0 Rajitha Senaratne<\/td>\nMinister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18.\u00a0\u00a0 Ranjith Siyambalapitiya<\/td>\nMinister of Power and Renewable Energy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19.\u00a0\u00a0 Rauff Hakeem<\/td>\nMinister of City Planning and Water Supply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20.\u00a0\u00a0 Rishad Bathiudeen<\/td>\nMinister of Industry and Commerce<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21.\u00a0\u00a0 Sajith Premadasa<\/td>\nMinister of Housing and Construction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22.\u00a0\u00a0 Thilak Marapana<\/td>\nMinister of Foreign Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23.\u00a0\u00a0 U. Palani Digambaram<\/td>\nMinister of Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24.\u00a0\u00a0 Vajira Abeywardena<\/td>\nMinister of Home Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25.\u00a0\u00a0 Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa<\/td>\nMinister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economic (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26.\u00a0\u00a0 Wijayadasa Rajapaksa<\/td>\nMinister of Higher Education & Cultural Affairs (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27.\u00a0\u00a0 Thalatha Atukorala<\/td>\nMinister of Justice & Prison Reforms (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28.\u00a0\u00a0 Ranjith Madduma Bandara<\/td>\nMinister of Public Administration & Management and Law & Order (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29.\u00a0\u00a0 S.B. Navinne<\/td>\nMinister of Internal Affairs & Wayamba Development (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30.\u00a0\u00a0 Sarath Amunugama<\/td>\nMinister of Science, Technology, Research, Skills Development & Vocational Training and Kandyan Heritage (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31.\u00a0\u00a0 Sagala Ratnayake<\/td>\nMinister of Youth Affairs, Project Management and Southern Development (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32.\u00a0\u00a0 Ravindra Samaraweera<\/td>\nMinister of Labour & Trade Union Relations & Sabaragamuwa Development (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
33.\u00a0\u00a0 Mano Ganesan<\/td>\nMinister of National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages (1 May 2018 \u2013 Ministry is National Co-existence & Reconciliation & Official Languages)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34.\u00a0\u00a0 P. Harison<\/td>\nMinister of Social Empowerment (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35.\u00a0\u00a0 D.M. Swaminathan<\/td>\nMinister of Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Northern Development & Hindu Religious Affairs (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36.\u00a0\u00a0 Duminda Dissanayake<\/td>\nMinister of Irrigation and Water Resources & Disaster Management (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
37.\u00a0\u00a0 Lakshman Kiriella<\/td>\nMinister of Public Enterprise & Kandy City Development (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
38.\u00a0\u00a0 Kabir Hashim<\/td>\nMinister of Highways & Road Development (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
39.\u00a0\u00a0 Mahinda Amaraweera<\/td>\nMinister of Agriculture (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40.\u00a0\u00a0 Daya Gamage<\/td>\nMinister of Social Welfare and Primary Industries (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
41.\u00a0\u00a0 Faiszer Musthapha<\/td>\nMinister of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Sports (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
42.\u00a0\u00a0 Field Marshal Hon. Sarath Fonseka<\/td>\nMinister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development (1 May 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

State Ministers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
State Minister<\/strong><\/td>\nMinistry<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A.H.M. Fouzie<\/td>\nNational Unity and Co-existence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ajith P. Perera<\/td>\nPower and Renewable Energy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe<\/td>\nInternational Trade<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Champika Premadasa<\/td>\nPlantation Industries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dilip Wedaarachchi<\/td>\nFisheries & Aquatic Resources Development & Rural Economic Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eran Wickramaratne<\/td>\nFinance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harsha de Silva<\/td>\nNational Policies and Economic Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lakshman Senewirathna<\/td>\nScience, Technology, Research, Skills Development & Vocational Training and Kandyan Heritage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 M.L.A.M. Hizbullah<\/td>\nHighways & Road Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10.\u00a0 Maheswaran Wijayakala<\/td>\nChild Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11.\u00a0 Mohan Lal Grero<\/td>\nHigher Education & Cultural Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12.\u00a0 Niroshan Perera<\/td>\nNational Policies and Economic Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13.\u00a0 Palitha Ranga Bandara<\/td>\nIrrigation & Water Resources & Disaster Management<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14.\u00a0 Piyasena Gamage<\/td>\nYouth Affairs, Project Management and Southern Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15.\u00a0 R.G. Sriyani Wijewickrama<\/td>\nProvincial Councils, Local Government and Sports<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16.\u00a0 Ruwan Wijayawardena<\/td>\nDefence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17.\u00a0 V. Radhakrishnan<\/td>\nEducation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18.\u00a0 Wasantha Aluwihare<\/td>\nAgriculture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19.\u00a0 Wasantha N K Senanayake<\/td>\nForeign Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20.\u00a0 Weera Kumar Dissanayaka<\/td>\nMahaweli Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21.\u00a0 Lucky Jayawardena<\/td>\nHill Country New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development (12 June 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22.\u00a0 Ranjith Aluwihare<\/td>\nTourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs (12 June 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Deputy Ministers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Deputy Minister<\/strong><\/td>\nMinistry<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ali Zahir Moulana Seyed<\/td>\nNational Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ammer Ali Seyed Mohammad Sihabdeen<\/td>\nFisheries & Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economic Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Anoma Gamage<\/td>\nPetroleum Resources Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ashoka Abeysinghe<\/td>\nTransport and Civil Aviation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dunesh Gankanda<\/td>\nLands and Parliamentary Reforms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Habeeb Mohamed Mohamed Harees<\/td>\nPublic Enterprise & Kandy City Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Indika Bandaranayaka<\/td>\nHousing and Construction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 J.C. Alawathuwala<\/td>\nHome Affairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Karunarathna Paranavithanage<\/td>\nScience, Technology, Research, Skills Development & Vocational Training and Kandyan Heritage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10.\u00a0\u00a0 Lasantha Alagiyawanna<\/td>\nFinance and Mass Media<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11.\u00a0\u00a0 M.K. Naleen Manusha Nanayakkara<\/td>\nTelecommunication, Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12.\u00a0\u00a0 Mohomed Casim Mohomed Faizal<\/td>\nHealth, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13.\u00a0\u00a0 Muththu Sivalingam<\/td>\nSocial Welfare & Primary Industries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14.\u00a0\u00a0 Nishantha Muthuhettigamage<\/td>\nPorts and Shipping<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15.\u00a0\u00a0 Palitha Kumara Thevarapperuma<\/td>\nSustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16.\u00a0\u00a0 Ranjan Ramanayake<\/td>\nSocial Empowerment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17.\u00a0\u00a0 Sarathi Dushmantha<\/td>\nBuddha Sasana<\/p>\n

Justice & Prison Reforms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

18.\u00a0\u00a0 Ajith Mannapperuma<\/td>\nEnvironment (12 June 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19.\u00a0\u00a0 Angajan Ramanathan<\/td>\nAgriculture (12 June 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20.\u00a0\u00a0 Nalin Bandara Jayamah<\/td>\nPublic Administration and Management and Law and Order (12 June 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21.\u00a0\u00a0 Edward Gunasekara<\/td>\nInternal Affairs and Wayamba Development (12 June 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22.\u00a0\u00a0 Cader Mastan<\/td>\nRehabilitation, Resettlement, Northern Development and Hindu Religious Affairs (12 June 2018)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Some confusions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ministry of National Integration & Reconciliation & Official Languages \/ National Unity & Co-existence<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the Presidents 3 portfolios is as Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation http:\/\/nirmin.gov.lk\/web\/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=175&lang=en<\/a> however Mano Ganeshan is also given the same title plus another title Minister of National Integration, Reconciliation & Official Languages http:\/\/www.cabinetoffice.gov.lk\/cab\/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=66&lang=en&InNo=744<\/a><\/p>\n

As per 1 May 2018 Mano Ganeshan has been made Minister National Co-existence & Reconciliation & Official Languages.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/mncdol.gov.lk\/web\/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33&Itemid=154&lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n

So we have the President as Minister of National Integration & Reconciliation & Mano Ganesh as the Minister of National Co-existence & Reconciliation! What are they both doing?<\/p>\n

H. M. Fowzie is the State Minister of National Integration under President Sirisena<\/p>\n

A H M Fouzie is also featured as State Minister of National Unity and Co-existence (Is he drawing two salaries?)<\/p>\n

Ali Zahir Moulana Seyed is the Deputy Minister of National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages<\/p>\n

There are 2 Secretaries too<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. M.Y.S. Deshapriya is the Secretary, Ministry of National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages<\/p>\n

Mr. S. Nanayakkara is the Secretary, State Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation<\/p>\n

The Ministry of National Integration & Reconciliation was established by Extraordinary Gazette on 21 September 2015 & Amended by Extraordinary Gazette on 18 December 2015.<\/p>\n

National Policies and Economic Affairs<\/strong><\/p>\n

The PM is the Minister of National Policies & Economic Affairs. He has 2 State Ministers with the same title – Dr Harsha de Silva & Niroshan Perera. WHY?<\/p>\n

Sustainable Development, Wildlife & Regional Development<\/strong><\/p>\n

As of May 1st<\/sup> the Minister is Sarath Fonseka & the Deputy Minister is Palitha Thevapperuma. However the previous Deputy Minister was Sumedha Jayasena.<\/p>\n

Labor & Trade Union Relations \/ Labor & Trade Union Relations & Sabaragamuwa Development<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the website of the Office of Cabinet Ministers ONLY the Minsitry of Labor & Trade Union Relations is mentioned with Minister Ravindra Samaraweera appointed on 1 May 2018 http:\/\/www.cabinetoffice.gov.lk\/cab\/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=66&lang=en&InNo=708<\/a><\/p>\n

However there is a website for Labor & Trade Union Relations & Samaragamuwa Development with the same Minister http:\/\/www.labourmin.gov.lk\/web\/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177&Itemid=177&lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n

Ministry of Development Strategies & International Trade<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the official website Malik Samarawickrema is the Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade & in the same website the State Minister is Sujeewa Senasinghe but his title is State Minister of International Trade (the Development Strategies is dropped out)<\/p>\n

http:\/\/modsit.gov.lk\/minister-of-development-strategies-and-international-trade.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Monthly Salaries & Allowances to MPs (Cabinet, State, Deputy) by the Parliament<\/strong><\/p>\n

MP salaries & wages were increased in 2006 by the same government by double what they were previously given.<\/p>\n

Basic Salary\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.54,285 (a High Court Judge is paid the same)<\/p>\n

Fuel Allowance\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.15,000 \u2013 Rs.65,000<\/p>\n

Personal staff wages\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.80,000 \u2013 Rs.100,000<\/p>\n

Telephone \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.50,000<\/p>\n

Transportation\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.10,000<\/p>\n

Attendance\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.500 per every sitting<\/p>\n

Rent\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.50,000 p.m<\/p>\n

Entertainment\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.1000<\/p>\n

Insurance\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.200,000 (proposal to increase insurance to Rs.500,000)<\/p>\n

Vehicle\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.10m or US$62,500 exempt from tariffs (tax relief is Rs.33m)<\/p>\n

free body massages<\/p>\n

Presidents Salary\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs. 97,500<\/p>\n

PM\u2019s Salary\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs. 71,500<\/p>\n

Speaker\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs. 68,500<\/p>\n

Deputy Speaker\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs. 54,285<\/p>\n

MPs outside Colombo are entitled to a 900sq.ft house<\/p>\n

Ministers are provided with 2-storey houses in Cinnamon Gardens plus $50,000 worth duty-free vehicles.<\/p>\n

MPs also enjoy bank loan facilities on very easy & simple terms & concessions for the education of their children.<\/p>\n

State pension\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After 5 years \u2018service\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parliament pays Rs.12.2 million a month in MPs\u2019 salaries excluding the salary of the President. Annually the tax payer ends up footing Rs.164.4m minimum for 225 MPs.<\/p>\n

Food in Parliament (2017)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.100 (previously it was Rs.60)<\/p>\n

Lunch\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.200 (previously it was Rs.150)<\/p>\n

If an MP hosts lunch for more than 12 persons cost per person is Rs..600 (Rs.7200)<\/p>\n

Present rate is Rs.250 per guest<\/p>\n

Salaries paid by the Relevant Ministry<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cabinet Minister\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rs.65,000 (Ministry spends for 3 vehicles, security jeep)<\/p>\n

According to Acting Minister of Transport Ashoka Abeysinghe (5 June 2018) the PM had proposed to appoint Government Members of Parliament as Monitoring MPs to Ministries.<\/p>\n

The benefit package to each MP would be over Rs.300,000 each in addition to the salary & benefits they receive.<\/p>\n

During the Third Reading debate on Budget proposals for 2017 the PM said the monthly salaries for MPs was not enough to fulfil their duties & that the salaries of MPs needed to be increased to \u2018strengthen the parliamentary system\u2019. The PM proposed Rs.100,000 p.m. allowance to each MP to carry out duties in his electorate as well as air travel facilities for MPs in the North & East.<\/p>\n

It has also been proposed to give luxury vehicles for 30 MPs to carry out \u2018development<\/p>\n

work & since it was difficult to carry out their duties due to the poor conditions of the roads they needed luxury vehicles (Rajitha Senaratna MP)<\/p>\n

Vehicles for MPs<\/strong><\/p>\n

In March 2017 Supplementary Estimate sought by Chief Whip of the Government MP Gayantha K for Rs.537,962,790 to purchase vehicles for<\/p>\n

7 Ministers,<\/p>\n

3 State Ministers<\/p>\n

2 Deputy Ministers<\/p>\n

Rs.42.6m vehicle for the Special Assignments Minister<\/p>\n

Rs.42m vehicle for the Telecommunication & Digital Infrastructure Minister<\/p>\n

Rs.86m vehicle for State Minister of Irrigation & Water Resources Management<\/p>\n

Rs.41m vehicle for Science, Technology & Research Minister<\/p>\n

Rs.43m vehicle for Tourism & Christian Affairs Minister<\/p>\n

Rs.43m for the Higher Education & Highways Minister<\/p>\n

Rs.43m for the Sustainable Development & Wild Life Minister<\/p>\n

Rs.62.2m vehicles for the Auditor General\u2019s Department<\/p>\n

The Government had spent Rs.108m on foreign trips for Ministers & MPs (2017)<\/p>\n

In May 2017 a supplementary estimate was sought approval to spend over Rs.360m to purchase vehicles for some ministers & renovate official residences.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/article\/Rs-mn-sought-to-purchase-ministers-vehicles–129694.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Rs.154m to purchase new vehicles for Ministry of Defence under President<\/p>\n

Rs.120m to purchase new vehicles for Ministry of Finance<\/p>\n

Rs.43m to purchase a vehicle for Deputy Minister of Rural Economy<\/p>\n

Rs.16m to purchase a vehicle for Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade<\/p>\n

Rs.3.4m to repair official residence of Social Empowerment & Social Welfare Minister<\/p>\n

Rs.1.2m to repair official residence of Digital Infrastructure Development Minister<\/p>\n

Rs.5.9m to renovate Central Province Governor\u2019s official residence.<\/p>\n

Foreign Trips by President (excludes private visits)<\/strong><\/p>\n

2015 \u2013 10 trips to 10 countries<\/p>\n

2016 \u2013 12 trips to 9 countries<\/p>\n

2017 \u2013 7 trips to 7 countries<\/p>\n

2018 \u2013 1 trip so far (Iran)<\/p>\n

Foreign Trips by Prime Minister (excludes private visits)<\/strong><\/p>\n

2015 \u2013 2 (India & Japan)<\/p>\n

2016 \u2013 6 trips to 6 countries<\/p>\n

2017 \u2013 8 trips to 8 countries<\/p>\n

2018 – \u00a02 trips so far<\/p>\n

If this burden is not enough on the tax payer, the government has by doubled the local government members.<\/p>\n

Previously 4486 Local Government Members were elected to 340 Local Authorities (Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, Pradeshiya Sabhas).<\/p>\n

Now instead of 4486 8356 Local Government Members have been elected through the new system introduced by this government increasing the tax burden of Rs.21billion to Rs.34billion.<\/p>\n

What have these Ministers done? Do they even care about the suffering of the people, the severities each family undergoes to eat, educate their children, provide the basic of comforts?<\/p>\n

It is just despicable that these MPs are so inconsiderate of the people. Do they not see the people languishing in hospitals waiting for treatment, patients who have to pawn whatever they have to buy medicines, people who are living off loans & victims of interest sharks\u2026.<\/p>\n

Do these MPs not have a heart & even after living off the sweat & toil of the workers, these MPs devise ways and means to keep us divided, to manufacture conflicts, pay people to spread lies & rumours all to keep us distracted & diverted from questioning them.<\/p>\n

Its time people wake up from their slumber.<\/p>\n

Shenali D Waduge<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The present government came to power assuring the citizens of Sri Lanka an uncorrupt, transparent, no-wastage government. That promise was thrown to the bin after coming to power. The people were sold that the Cabinet would be just 25 MP (100 day program) however 19a created a bogus national government with the right to unlimited […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1498,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-78325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-shenali-waduge"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1498"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78325\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}