President says will not allow salary increment of ministers and MPs

President Mait-hripala Sirisena has said he will not allow an increase in salaries of ministers and Members of Parliament. 

Speaking at a public ceremony on Saturday, the President said that, though Sinhala weekend papers had stated that the decision was made to increase the salaries of the Ministers and MPs by the consent of all the Party leaders, it should be submitted to the Cabinet and that he would never allow it to be approved.

President Sirisena said that, during the past three years, the Government has taken steps to increase the salaries and allowances of Ministers and MPs several times, and that he had firmly rejected proposals to increase his salary as the President himself. The President further said that it is not appropriate to increase the salaries of the ministers and MPs at the present time when the Government is trying to find solutions for many problems, including the rising cost of living.