Minister proposes pay cuts for selected employees during lockdown

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has proposed several steps that parliamentarians, public and private sector employees can take as the country is facing the consequences of the pandemic.

Minister Ranatunga says dedicated frontline workers of the health and defence services can be treated on a special basis while parliamentarians should donate 75% of their salaries, public and private sector employees 50% of their salaries and minor workers 30% of their salaries to contribute to the initiative during the period of the lockdown and he is ready to make his own contribution to it.

This proposal has been made by the minister in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa titled ‘Future strategy against spread of the COVID-19 pandemic’.