COLOMBO (News 1st);TNAs MA Sumanthiran questioned the rationale of appointing State Minister at a time when the country is in crisis.

The MP said that the appointment of 37 State Ministers only shows the insensitivity of the Government towards the people and their struggles.

Pointing out that some have reduced their daily meals to two, the MP said that even the number of people begging on the streets have increased.

"Outside every bank there are people with children waiting for customers to come out, begging. Thats the situation. Then you go an appoint State Ministers," he emphasized.

MP Sumanthiran recalled that the current President came into an agreement that before the economic collapse, only 10 people are necessary in a Cabinet, and no Deputy or State Ministers are needed.

"How can you can manage a situation such as this, If you are telling people to tighten their belts and then go ahead and appoint 37 ministers?" he added.

• Cabinet agrees to implement 13A – President
• Parliament to be prorogued from Friday (27); New Session on 8th February
• Speaker certifies Campaign Finance Bill, and Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill
• ‘My officials were threatened to sign’ – Kanchana on No-Power Cut agreement
• ‘Oldest and most complete’ mummy found in Cairo, Egypt