President orders State entities to suspend all advertising and marketing

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered the suspension of ongoing advertising and marketing programs of State entities and subject them for review.

Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera has issued a directive to this effect to all Chairmen and Board of Directors of State enterprises, State agencies, State banks and insurance companies. 

In the memo, Dr. Jayasundera stated: “President has directed me to instruct all Chairmen and Board of Directors to suspend all ongoing advertising and marketing programs to ensure that such expenses are incurred in the best interest of the organisation’s corporate development strategy within the Government’s National Development Program.”

The heads of institutions have been requested to inform the Secretary to the Treasury, approved advertising budget for 2020 and actual expenditure to date along with commitments and also the budget activities for 2021.

They have been advised that no commitments be made before obtaining special approval from the Director General of the Public Enterprises Department of the General Treasury. 

“Hence all such activities be suspended immediately as per the above instructions. The Budget for 2021 in accordance with the corporate plans should also be submitted to the Treasury,” Dr. Jayasundera’s memo added.