All payments to Ministers & their private staff suspended

Colombo (News 1st) - Steps have been taken to temporarily suspend the payments of salaries to Ministers and their private staff following an order issued by court suspending activities of the Cabinet of ministers. Secretary to the Prime Minister S. Amarasekara said that thereby steps were taken to suspend the payments of phone allowances, fuel allowances and other allowances granted to the ministers, as well as payments made to their private staff. He added that secretaries of all ministries have been informed to act on the advice of the president. The Secretary added that certain issues may arise in the event cabinet approval is sought on certain matters. He added that thereby certain new projects under the ministries may be delayed. When news1st inquired from the secretary to the Prime Minister regarding the day to day activities of state sector employees he said that state services can be continued without any hindrance despite the current political situation. He added that the police special task force has been deployed for added security at all ministries.