The Ministry of Finance is formulating a Vote on Account for a period of 04 months from June 2020, reports say.
Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, S.R. Attygala said that Article 150 (3) states : "Where the President dissolves Parliament before the Appropriation Bill for the financial year has passed into law, he may, unless Parliament shall have already made provision, authorize the issue from the Consolidated Fund and the expenditure of such sums as he may consider necessary for the public services until the expiry of a period of three months from the date on which the new Parliament is summoned to meet."
Parliament was dissolved on March 02, with the intention of holding elections on April 25 and accordingly, the new parliament was to convene on May 12.
Therefore, the president is authorized to issue funds for public expenditures, and the president has authorized powers to me as the secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Attygala has said while speaking to 'the Island'.
Foreign debt paid, paying May salary is no issue
"This is why foreign debt around Rs. 26 billion was paid on May 14th. That's about $ 125 million. Also funds were given for the Samurdhi. The Elderly allowance was given out in May. Funds were issued to settle old bills of Provincial Councils. Therefore, there is no issue with regard to state expenses. Similarly, salaries of public servants are being paid."
Mr. Attygalle added that there was no problem in the payment of salaries or other expenses of public servants for the month of May.
Mr. Attygalle, who had earlier been on a break from work as per medical advice, is now back as the secretary to the Ministry of Finance.
(Mirror)