Basil unveils relief package

* Rs. 5,000 allowance for state employees

* Flour subsidy for estate workers

* Additional Rs. 25 for kilo of paddy

By Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday unveiled a 229-billion-rupee relief package.

Addressing the media at the Finance Ministry auditorium in Colombo, the Minister said a monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 would be paid to all public sector workers and pensioners. An allowance of Rs. 1,000 would be paid to Samurdhi beneficiaries, he added.

The Finance Minister requested all employers to provide relief to private sector workers.

Minister Rajapaksa said an incentive of Rs 5,000 each would be paid to those who cultivated homesteads encompassing less than 20 perches, and Rs10,000 to those who cultivate more than 20 perches.

The Finance Minister said that government would increase the purchasing price of paddy by Rs 25 to Rs. 75 a kilo.

Each estate sector family would be provided with 15 kilos of flour at a subsidised rate of Rs 80, the Finance Minister said. The current market price of flour is at Rs 120 a kilo.