A three-member committee Chaired by a retired Supreme Court Judge has been appointed to recommend rational limitations to be imposed on entitlements, allowances and privileges which are afforded to Parliamentarians, Ministers and former Presidents but have created an unnecessary burden on the Treasury, or to introduce a suitable, alternative method.

K.T. Chithrasiri is the Chairperson of the said committee while retired Ministry Secretary D. Dissanayaka and retired District Secretary J.C.T. Bulumulla are the other members.

MPs, Ministers and ex-Presidents are granted various entitlements, allowances, and privileges such as salaries, allowances, pensions, quarters, vehicles, staff, office equipment and security personnel. The Government has to bear a significant cost annually from public tax to provide the same. In this context, the Government has recognised the necessity of minimising this huge expenditure considering the present fiscal capacity.

Hence, on Monday (30 September), the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Prime Minister in her capacity as the Minister of Justice , Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government to appoint a committee to submit a detailed report within two months with the suitable recommendations to study the facts in order to limit on a rational basis the entitlements, allowances, and privileges which create an unnecessary burden on the Treasury or to introduce another suitable alternative method.