Benefits for MPs during an economic crisis?

COLOMBO (News 1st) - On a day when a father sacrificed his life to feed his children, and multiple robberies were reported across the country, a proposal was submitted to the Parliament regarding the privileges and benefits enjoyed by the parliamentarians and ministers. 

One of the proposals was presented to the Cabinet by the President and the Minister of Justice. 

The proposal states that the parliamentarians whose houses and offices were attacked during the period from the 31st of march to the 22nd of June have been unable to carry out their duty to the country since then. 

Therefore the proposal suggests compensating 50% of the estimated loss until the full compensation is paid. 

The proposal also requested the permission of the cabinet to release funds for this from the treasury. 

Meanwhile, instructions were issued recently to provide the necessary facilities for MPs who function as chairmen of District Coordinating Committees. 

A letter sent by the Secretary to the president to the secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government states that chairmen of District Coordinating Committees should be allocated an official vehicle and be given a fuel allocation of 300 liters. 

The letter states that in addition to this, they must be provided with a staff allocation of 7 members and also an office within the District Secretariat. 

The staff of the Chairman of the District Coordination Committee includes 4 development officers already attached to the district secretariat, a personal assistant, an office assistant, and a driver. 

16 MPs from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna function as the Heads of the District Coordination Committees.