SL MPs fuel allowance to be reduced in dollar crisis

The monthly fuel allowance given to all Members of Parliament (MPs) is to be slashed considering the present economic situation in the country, parliamentary sources revealed.

The pruning of number of allowances enjoyed by MPS was a result of a directive issued by the Finance Ministry as the country is facing a severe shortage of fuel due to dollar crisis.

Each MP receives a monthly fuel allowance which varies according to the district they represent. This figure ranges between Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 65,000.

Fuel allowances are paid based on the distance from Parliament to the electoral district which each MP was elected and the approved market price of one litre of diesel on the first day of every month. (e.g.: Colombo 283.94 ltrs. Gampaha and Kalutara 355.58 ltrs, Treasury’s Management Services Department sources divulged

Normally the fuel allowance is added to the salary of MPs by calculating it in accordance with the selling price of fuel at fuel filling stations countrywide.

In a fuel-saving measure to preserve the country’s dwindling foreign reserves, it has been proposed to cut the fuel allowances of MPs by a minimum of 5 litres (3.33 per cent) to a maximum of 25 litres (14.71 per cent) per month.

This reduction is still to be finalised by the Finance Ministry to implement it with the consent of the president, a senior official said.(Bandula)