Parliament Secretariat issues clarification Regarding the Speaker

09-Jul-2025

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The Parliament Secretariat has issued a clarification statement concerning various media reports about the facilities provided by Parliament to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and his personal staff.

According to the statement released by the Secretariat, “On May 2, 2025, at a meeting of the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, a decision was taken to replace the previously unlimited fuel allowance with an amount equivalent to the fuel entitlement of a Cabinet Minister. Accordingly, the monthly fuel allocation for the current Speaker has been reduced to a maximum of 900 liters”.

”Additionally, in accordance with Circular No. PS/CSA/00/1/4/12 issued by the Presidential Secretary on January 21, 2025, the Speaker is entitled to use two official vehicles, while a vehicle has been allocated for use by the Speaker’s Media Division”.

”The number of officials assigned to the Speaker’s personal staff stands at eight. Positions such as the Speaker’s Private Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Media Secretary, and Public Relations Officer are entitled to official vehicles and fuel facilities as per the provisions of the relevant government circulars”.

”Regarding meals provided by Parliament, an amount equivalent to what is allocated to other executive officers is deducted monthly from the salary of the Speaker’s Private Secretary”.

”Furthermore, the official residence designated for the Speaker is not used for any personal purposes, gatherings, or other needs. All official and diplomatic meetings of the Speaker are held exclusively at the Speaker’s office within Parliament”.

”Currently, the Speaker resides temporarily in a house at Lorens Road, Colombo 04, for which a monthly rent is being deducted from his salary in accordance with Government Administrative Circular No. 22/2006, dated April 20, 2007”.