State Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Janaka Wakkumbura says the Government is looking into the possibility of recommencing the payment of salaries to State sector employees who have submitted nominations to contest in the Local Government elections. 

Speaking in Parliament yesterday the State Minister said the opinion of the Attorney General had been sought on the matter. He said the difficulty in paying salaries has arisen as the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) has once again declared a new date for the polls.   The State Minister said the Government is also of the opinion that candidates must be paid their salaries. He said they are looking into the possibility of allowing them to return to work until the polls are held and assigning them to serve in other areas while also obtaining an affidavit from them promising not to engage in politics until that time. The State Minister said this in response to the concerns raised in parliament by opposition MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Wimal Weerawansha and Ranjith Madduma Bandara. 

Dullas seeks relief for Govt. employees cum LG candidates