Minister of State for Finance Shehan Semasinghe says that priority has been given to welfare benefits including salaries, pensions and prosperity of public servants.
“It will take some time for the economy to fully stabilize and return to normal. The government is currently implementing the entire program for that. The Ministry of Finance has informed all the ministries to strictly limit the expenditure. Even when presenting the budget for 2023, money has not been allocated for other expenses except giving priority to essential expenses. We believe that with the approval of the IMF in the first quarter, the economic recovery will accelerate.
We are currently managing the allocation of money for the salaries of government employees, the payment of money for pensioners, the payment of money for Samurdhi and other subsidies. This is difficult management. We can convey the message that we are working to provide government employee salaries, pensions and welfare benefits without any cuts or delays. There should be no doubt about it. Arrangements will be made to receive them on those respective dates.
State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said this while issuing a statement to the media yesterday (10).
