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| Curtailing of Expenditure of the Foreign Ministry |
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(Lanka-e-News 31.May.2009 4.00PM) Everyone agrees that expenditure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be curtailed. We welcome the decision of reducing the operational costs of the Missions. However, ways in which these reduction are done raise some questions. Recently, the Secretary of the Foreign Ministry has instructed that 25% educational allowance of the children of the offices in the overseas Mission should be borne by the officer concerned. The other cut is the house rent of the staff of the Missions by 33% "except the Head of Mission."
We see more areas where expenditure should be reduced. However, before explaining them it is necessary to look at the fairness of the above mentioned reductions.
With regard to the education allowance, we wish to highlight that this would affect the junior officers very seriously. As we all know that allowances for the junior staff of the Sri Lankan Missions are very low. Except English speaking countries, English education is very expensive. The difference of the allowances between the lowest grade officer and the Head of Mission is around five times. Yet, the schools do not charge according to the ranks. According to our calculations any officer other than the Head of Mission should pay more than one third of their salary and allowances for to cover the 25% if two of their children are educated. The government is paying only for two children. As the cost of living in many countries is high, these officers would be facing difficulties in maintaining their families. We think it is fare to provide some relief to the staff members who are getting lowest allowance to cover the education fees.
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We strongly believe that house rent ceiling should be reduced. The problem is this 33% reduction is not applicable to the Head of Mission, to whom the Ministry id paying the highest rents. In any country the rent of the Head of Mission is above one million rupees. The house rent of the lowest rank officer is one tenth of the Head of the Mission. In addition the Head of the Mission's electricity, water, heating, etc are paid by the government. However, the other officers need either to pay their utility bills completely or partly. In most cases the Head of Missions are living alone or only with their spouses in huge luxurious mansions. One can say such a luxury is required to maintain their post or to entertain guests. We think that usually they are respected by the host countries not because of their car or house but way in which they help to strengthen the relations between two countries and promote Sri Lanka. Other than the above the Head of Missions are entitled for a car [usually a benz car] unlimited petrol and telephone. Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is paying a lot as medical bills of the Head of Missions. Sometimes, these bills are in millions. This has happened as many of the Heads of Missions are old aged political appointees with various types of chronic illnesses. We have a serious question about their productivity not only because of their inexperience but because of their health conditions and age.
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We strongly believe that if the following measures are taken most of the expenses could be curtailed.
1. Reduction of lavish expenditure of the Minister, his family, and entourages on foreign trips.
2. Closing down of useless diplomatic Missions in Cuba, Philippines, Poland, Vietnam, Norway, and Consulates in Los Angels, Toronto, and Bonne.
3. Reduction of unnecessary staff of the Missions.
4. Reduction of house rent of the Heads of Missions.
5. Reduction of Representational allowance of all the diplomatic staff and the Heads of Missions.
6. Discouraging of supporting staff taking their children abroad.
7. Curtailing of expenditure on foreign trips by the Ministry officials when such representation could be made by the Head of the Mission.
8. Reduction of expenditure at the Ministry on vehicle hiring, telephone, faxes, and wages on excessive staff.
9. Discontinue of appointing typists to the Missions when officers are familiar with the computers.
10. Relocation of the Missions and houses of the staff in low rent areas as far as possible.
We believe that cutting cost is not enough. The Missions should be manned by able officers and capable Heads of Missions. Efficiency and effectiveness of the Missions are needed today more than ever to face the international challenges before Sri Lanka. If the Sri Lankan Missions abroad could not provide necessary backing to tackle the LTTE internationally and counter the negative opinions on Sri Lanka, the victory against the LTTE could not be used appropriately. We believe H.E. the President would draw his attention towards the above facts.
Concerned Officers |
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