Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardana said that Cabinet approval was granted to pay an allowance to the grama niladharis, economic development officers, and agricultural research and production assistants to cover the fuel, communication, and other expenses incurred for the three-month period during which Covid-19-related concession and relief distribution duties are executed. Speaking to The Morning, Gunawardana said: “A Cabinet memorandum submitted by Ministers Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and Chamal Rajapaksa was approved by the Cabinet to pay these allowances for the period from 15 March to 15 June.” Accordingly, grama niladharis and economic development officers working under the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government and agrarian research and production assistants who work under the Ministry of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation, and Rural Development will be entitled to this allowance. Accordingly, Cabinet approval was granted to pay Rs. 450 fuel allowance per month, and if they are overlooking duties for two domains, they will be entitled for a fuel allowance of Rs. 600. A communication allowance of Rs. 1,000 per month will be added and an official travel allowance of Rs. 1,200 will be paid. Prior to this decision, the allowances allocated for grama niladharis and economic development officers per month as communication allowance and official travel allowance was Rs. 600 each, and no fuel allowance was allocated.