Provincial administrative institutions facing a severe financial crisis due to COVID-19

COLOMBO (News 1st): A majority of provincial administrative institutions have faced severe financial issues in line with the closure of the country due to the COVID-19 outbreak, officials said on Friday. "All 49 provincial local authorities have faced this financial issue," said Kasun Epa Seneviratne - Western Provincial Council Commissioner on Friday (June 12). According to Seneviratne the self-sufficient means of income of these authorities came to a standstill, with the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, the charging of the Assessment Tax has also been halted, according to Seneviratne. "A discussion on the prevailing financial issues, will be held next week," told J.J. Ratnasiri, Secretary to the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government when inquired by News 1st regarding the matter. The meeting will be attended by Provincial Chief Secretaries and Local Government Commissioners, according to Ratnasiri.