Minimize unnecessary expenditure & wastage: Basil Rajapaksa

COLOMBO (News 1st): It is the responsibility of the Public Representatives and Public Officers to act in a manner that does not cause inconveniences to the people at a time when the country is facing difficulties, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa said. The support of all Public Representatives, Governors and District Secretaries is expected at this time, in order to provide a better public service whilst prioritizing the needs of the people and thereby, minimizing unnecessary expenses and wastage, the Finance Minister had further stressed. Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa expressed these remarks at a meeting with Public Representatives, Governors and the District Secretaries held at the Temple Trees. Extensive discussions were also held at the meeting, on the country's COVID-19 Vaccination drive. Accordingly, Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa had emphasized that the Finance Ministry will take necessary steps to allocate funds without any conditions to purchase COVID-19 vaccines, in order to ensure the health safety of the people. The Minister also expressed confidence that the country's Economic sectors could revive soon as the government has given priority to fully open the country, whilst ensuring the health safety of the people through the vaccination drive. Attention should be paid to methods that can encourage the investors by identifying the situations where investors are faced with inconveniences and rectifying such issues, he further noted. Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa emphasized that the propaganda carried out on social media regarding a 14% tax being levied on the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) upon his appointment as the Minister of Finance, is false.