• Cabinet nod to close 55 project offices, suspend 32 and continue 46
• Says Govt. no longer in financial status to continue same operation 
• President orders ministers to talk to Finance Ministry to identify offices necessary

In a bid to cut down on costs, the Government has decided to shut down 55 project offices whilst suspending 32 operations of other management units of large-scale development projects.

“These project offices are managed by specialists and consultants recruited for high salaries. Given the economic situation, the Government is no longer in a position to continue the same with high salaries and staff,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

The proposal to this effect submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

As per him, a committee headed by former Ministry Secretary H.G. Kamal Padmasiri was appointed to examine the necessity of such offices.

“The committee recommended closing down 55 offices, suspending the operations of 32 offices and continuing operations in 46 offices with a minimum required staff,” Gunawardena added.

Justifying the decision to continue 46 project offices, he said the majority of the Cabinet of Ministers were of the view that efforts are being taken to run these offices effectively and efficiently. Hence, the units should be allowed to operate.

The Cabinet Co-Spokesman also noted that President Wickremesinghe ordered the Ministers to hold discussions with the Finance Ministry to identify which offices can be closed down and which can be operated without being suspended.

“Most of the Cabinet Ministers agreed that the President’s proposal was a necessary measure at this juncture,” he added.

Govt. steps up measures to slash State expenditure