Rs. 332M Cost Despite Dissolved Provincial Councils

COLOMBO (News 1st): More than Rs. 332 million in public funds has been spent on maintaining Provincial Council chairpersons and their staff despite the dissolution of Provincial Councils, Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Ruwan Senarath told Parliament today.

The Deputy Minister made the disclosure while responding to a question raised by National People's Power (NPP) MP Ruwan Mapalagama.

According to Senarath, a total of over Rs. 332.9 million had been incurred during the period concerned for the upkeep of Provincial Council chairpersons and their administrative staff, even though the Provincial Councils themselves had ceased functioning following the end of their terms.

The Deputy Minister explained that the situation arose due to provisions contained in the Constitution and existing legal framework, under which the positions of Provincial Council chairpersons continue to remain in effect despite the expiry of the official terms of the respective Provincial Councils.