Circular issued to manage govt expenditure amid energy crisis

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Sri Lanka has released a circular to control government spending within the current financial limits and approved budgets. This action aims to keep essential public services running while reducing the economic effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, sent this circular to all Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Heads of Special Expenditure Units and Commissions, Heads of Departments, District Secretaries, and Chairmen of State Corporations and Statutory Boards. The circular mentions that due to limits on fuel distribution and the announcement of Wednesday as a government holiday, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to standardize fuel allowances. Fuel allowances for Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, public officials, and other groups will now be based on fuel prices from March 1, until further notice. Additionally, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance pointed out that any other allowances linked to fuel quantity and price, rather than a direct fuel allowance, must also be calculated using the fuel prices from March 1.