Free postal service facilities for lawmakers increased

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

The Government has increased the value of the stamps of the free postal facilities given to Members of Parliament and the Members of the Provincial Councils with effect from 16 January.

Issuing Extraordinary Gazette notification number 2110/53 on 15 February, as per the approval received for Cabinet paper 18/0017/743/001 the Government has amended the prevailing limit of Rs. 175,000 worth free postal facilities given per annum for a Member of Parliament to Rs. 350,000.

According to the Gazette notification, the Rs. 24,000 worth free postal facilities given for a Member of a Provincial Council has been increased to Rs. 48,000.

Members of Parliament are entitled to receive certain amenities including telephones, postal facilities, stationery, accommodation, medical facilities for them and their family members with the expectation of efficient discharge and performance of their duties as legislators. The Members’ Services Office in Parliament coordinates these amenities, in addition to maintaining a 19-roomed Holiday Bungalow – ‘General’s House’ in Nuwara Eliya exclusively for Members of Parliament and their families.