The official state function to celebrate the 75th Independence Day has only cost just over Rs. 11 million, the President's Media Division (PMD) stated.
Issuing a press release, the PMD stated that the total cost of the official ceremony amounted to Rs. 11, 130, 011 and 29 cents.
This amount is so much lower than the amounts spent on state Independence Day functions over the past few years, the PMD stressed.
However, the Public Administration Ministry told the Sunday Times last week that estimated expenses for Independence Day celebrations had been slashed by 50%, with the original estimate being about Rs. 400 million. The new estimate of the total cost would be about Rs. 192 million, the Ministry added.
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government, the cost of official Independence Day functions over the past five years is as follows: 2022 - Rs. 94.7 million, 2021 - Rs. 80.6 million, 2020 - Rs. 63.2 million, 2019 - Rs. 68.1 million and 2018 - Rs. 86.8 million.
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Update: Five of the twelve passengers on board the bell 212 aircraft that crashed into the Maduru Oya today, have succumbed to their injuries, the SLAF said.
Leave Comments