Govt. presents supplementary estimate of Rs 73.2 bn.

By Saman Indrajith

The Government yesterday presented a supplementary estimate of Rs 73.2 billion (Rs. 732,124,887,226) for the approval of the House to be spent on fighting the current COVID-19 pandemic and on other needs.

It was presented by Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando.

Through the supplementary estimate the government sought the approval of the House to spend on pandemic-related matters in all 24 districts, including the North and the East. The government sought to spend extra funds on the COVID treatment centres, to provide relief to those who are under quarantine and for the people affected by the pandemic.

The government also sought the approval of  Parliament to spend more funds to provide relief to fishermen, an allocation of Rs. 8.04 billion to settle the bills for the extension of the Southern Expressway from Matara to Hambantota, a sum of Rs. 26 million is to be spent on the Sooriyawewa international cricket stadium.

The Government also sought the House’s approval to spend Rs. 8.8 million to improve the building of the State Ministry of Coconut, Kithul, Palmyra and Rubber Cultivation Promotion and Related Industrial Product Manufacturing and Export Diversion.