Not abroad, but villages
Amidst growing criticism over excessive globe-trotting by ministers, the Prime Minister has reportedly stopped Tourism Minister Gamini Lokuge from going to London for a tourism promotion campaign, including a hotel dance for the Sri Lankan cricketers.

Mr. Lokuge confirmed that the Prime Minister had told him not to go on the trip as he felt it was 'not essential'. However, the Prime Minister had given the okay for him to go to the Maldives today for a trade exhibition.

However, Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando was present on this occasion though the exact nature of his visit to Britain is not known.

Instead of going abroad, the Prime Minister has told ministers and MPs to go to their villages and explain to the people new steps that were being taken to check the cost of living.

Since the UNF came to office, cabinet and non-cabinet ministers have been on a flying spree with a peak being reached during the New year season in April when almost half the cabinet was out of the country. On the Prime Minister's order, the Public Administration Ministry had issued a circular regarding ministerial staff who could be taken abroad, but reports said it was observed more in the breach.

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