Ranil’s responsibility is to 134 MPs who elected him President – Dilan

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The difference between the salary of an MP and a State Minister is Rs. 9000, but the newly appointed state ministers will all the perks enjoyed by a minister, MP Dilan Perera who crossed over to the Opposition recently said.The President had appointed 37 new State Ministers at a time when people are foregoing meals, he said.

“Then again, we can’t blame Ranil Wickremesinghe. He wasn’t elected by the people. His entire party received 250,000 votes. Wickremesinghe was elected President by 134 MPs and his responsibility is to them. He doesn’t care about farmers, fishermen, SMEs, or anyone else. He doesn’t care about electricity price hikes.”

“After appointing 37 MPs as State Ministers, the President says their perks have been curtailed. This is not true. The newly appointed State Ministers get three vehicles each. The state provides fuel for these vehicles. They get four people as personal staff and they also get vehicles,” he said.

MP Perera went on to say that the State Ministers claimed that they had refused to draw the salaries they were entitled to. “They claim they are satisfied with the MPs’ salaries. This is hilarious because the difference between the salary of an MP and a minister is only Rs. 9,000,” he said.

“The entire country knows that these State Ministers are a burden to the state coffers at a time when the country is going through a hitherto unheard crisis.

“Look at the state ministers they have appointed. Most people have nothing to do at all. The only skill these people have is to suck up to the President.