The government has slashed the Foreign Ministry’s budget by as much as one third of the present expenditure, with immediate effect, Acting Foreign Minister Hussain Bhaila confirmed yesterday.
The Treasury has directed that all diplomatic missions abroad should cut down expenses by 30 per cent with immediate effect. The cost-cutting exercise includes expenses incurred by the Foreign Ministry in Colombo.
Security escorts and an official of the Ministry of Defence travelling in a private coach sped past a checkpoint knocking down barriers last Thursday and later assaulted a Police Sergeant and a soldier who gave chase and apprehended them, Police and civilians told The Sunday Times.
