Govt. requests state sector employees to donate salaries for May

COLOMBO (News1st): The government has requested all state sector employees to donate their salaries for May, or a portion of it, in a bid to reduce the budget deficit. "The government requires at least Rs 100 billion to pay the salaries and allowances of state servants," President's Secretary P.B. Jayasundara said in a letter to all state bodies. He noted that the country's budget deficit could be reduced if state servants donate their salaries, or if the treasury issues a directive to that effect. "For some donating their entire salary would be difficult. Therefore I believe, that at least half, a week's salary or a day's pay can be contributed," Jayasundara noted. "It will also relieve the pressure faced by the country's debt management process." Sri Lanka, which is facing an economic crisis, has to settle at least 4.8 billion US dollars in foreign debt for 2020. The President's Secretary stated that donating salaries would relieve the economic burden on the people, and therefore, would count as a social responsibility project.