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Govt.
presents details in parliament Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle tabled the details of the President's advisers in response to a question raised by UNP Colombo district MP Ravi Karunanayake. The query was regarding the number of consultants engaged by the President, their names and professional qualifications and the work assigned to them and emoluments paid to them. The highest paid is former PERC chairman Mano Tittawella, who give advice on plan implementation, He gets Rs 150,000 as a monthly allowance along with a vehicle and fuel for his use. Nigel Hatch P.C. who advices on legal matters and Nishantha Ranatunga on media matters are paid Rs. 75, 000 a month each. Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, who also served as media advisor till June this year, was also paid Rs. 75,000 a month. The President's former Secretary, K. Balapatabendi, who is now employed as a constitutional affairs advisor is paid Rs 60,000 a month, Law and Order advisor Chandananda de Silva Rs 50,000 monthly along with vehicles and fuel allowance. Two retired SLAS officers, C.G. Wickremasinghe and S.M.S.B. Niyangoda --- employed to examine and report on irregularities and abuses committed in the alienation of state land -- are paid Rs 35,000 a month plus Rs. 10,000 as fuel allowances. Education Ministry Secretary Tara De Mel who advises the President on activities connected with social infrastructure receives a monthly allowance of Rs. 30, 000 as well as a vehicle and 190 litres of diesel. Former Minister Laksman Jayakody who is entrusted with work connected to religious/cultural affairs and management of human disaster, retired Sri Lanka planning service officer Cyril Gunapala who is responsible for the direction and supervision of development work, retired DIG T.V. Sumanasekera who advises on security matters and retired SLAS officer V. Malini Peiris who handles the administrative responsibilities in the Defence Ministry are paid Rs. 25, 000 as monthly allowances. Excluding Mrs. Peiris, the other three are also given a vehicle as well as 150-190 litres of fuel. The President's Buddhist affairs adviser Ven. Matale Amarawansa Thera is paid an allowance of Rs. 15, 000 along with a vehicle and a fuel allowance of Rs. 5, 000. Those working on a honorary capacity are Peace Secretariat chief Jayantha Dhanapala, Professor Dr. A. Kovoor who advises on scientific affairs and businessman Harry Jayawardena who gives advice on international trade and investment. Dr. Kovoor receives a vehicle and 170 litres of petrol for his services. All the payments are made by the President's Office except for Malini Peiris who is being paid by the Ministry of Defence to which she is attached. Mr. Fernandopulle told Parliament that the services of these advisors were being obtained to enable the President to discharge duties and functions conferred on her by the Constitution. |
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