COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chief Organizer of the Government andt he Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Prasanna Ranatunga said that the newly-appointed State Ministers will not be functioning under any privileges. 

Speaking to media on Thursday (8), the Minister said that it is impossible to function with only 20 Ministers, as he himself has to oversee the functions of over 35 institutions. 

Therefore, the Minister said that the newly appointed State Ministers will be able to oversee those institutions instead of the Minister, and to uplift them.

Minister Ranatunge further stated that the newly appointed State Ministers will carry out their functions under the normal salary of a Parliamentarian. 

However, the Minister pointed out that the previous Government had 88 State Ministers, and they were granted all privileges awarded to Ministers. In addition, supervisory MPs who were appointed to Ministries were also granted Rs. 600,000 under the previous administration, in addition to the Parliamentary MP privileges awarded to them.

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