The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadheera, clarified that Members of Parliament (MPs) do not receive a salary but are instead entitled to allowances.
Speaking on Ada Derana’s current affairs program ‘BIG FOCUS,’ she explained that MPs currently receive an allowance of approximately Rs. 54,000. Additionally, they are granted an attendance allowance of Rs. 2,500 for each day they attend parliamentary sessions, and the same amount for attending committee meetings held on non-session days.
Mrs. Rohanadheera elaborated that the fuel allowance provided to MPs is calculated based on the distance from Parliament, using a specific formula.
She further stated that MPs who do not own a house within 40 kilometers of Parliament are eligible to apply for accommodations in the parliamentary housing complex in Madiwela. This complex has 108 houses, which are assigned based on request order from both the ruling party and the opposition.
The Secretary General also mentioned that MPs residing in these houses pay a monthly rent of Rs. 2,000, and are responsible for their own electricity and water bills.
Moreover, Mrs. Rohanadheera highlighted that Parliament and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs have facilitated medical benefits at Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital, helping reduce MPs’ expenses from their allowances. She added that the ministry also covers necessary allowances for MPs’ personal staff.
