MPs’ meal charges to increase as Committee revises rates

Friday, 24 January 2025 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Parliamentary Housekeeping Committee yesterday decided to upwardly revise the daily meal charges for MPs from Rs. 450 to Rs. 2,000.

The move was taken during a meeting held yesterday under Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Accordingly it was decided to significantly increase the price of breakfast, lunch, and evening tea.

As per the revised pricing, the morning meal for MPs will rise from Rs. 100 to Rs. 600, lunch will increase from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,200 and the charge for evening tea will climb from Rs. 50 to Rs. 200.

The menu for MPs, which has long been a topic of public interest, was due to its variety, quality and subsidised price compared to market rates. It often raised the perks and privileges of MPs and Government spending.

Breakfast menu for MPs usually includes; red rice, coconut sambol, dhal curry, fish or chicken curry or additional items such as pittu, string hoppers, milk rice, or bread. Fruits such as papaya and pineapple are served as dessert.

Lunch known for its lavish spread, includes; red rice, white rice, fried rice, chicken curry, fish, eggs, and prawns on certain days. This is paired with up to eight different curries, five varieties of salads, and two soups. Desserts at lunch range from three types of fruits, yoghurt, cream caramel, and sago pudding.

Evening tea menu also offers a diverse menu, including; five types of short eats, kottu on certain days, bananas along with a selection of tea, coffee, and milk tea.

However, the adjustments are made for the MPs, it will not affect the Executive staff working in the Parliament.

The Committee’s decision to revise meal charges was following remarks made by Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake on Wednesday (22), that it should reflect the rising costs of maintaining variety and quality of food offered to MPs. He said the daily meal charges should at least be increased to Rs. 3,000.