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by Rashomi Silva

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered his ministers to limit their overseas travels, both private and official.

In a circular to be issued shortly private visits abroad will also be curtailed under the same rules governing official travel for ministers, deputy ministers and government MPs.

The Premier revealed his intention at Wednesday's pre-cabinet meeting.

Ministers and Deputy Ministers will not be allowed to go abroad except on very important assignments. The restriction on private visits will apply to all government Parliamentarians, the Prime Minister had told his Cabinet Ministers.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's decision had been prompted by the need to eliminate waste in public spending while the country is slowly emerging from the economic crisis, official sources said.

As the economy is growing at a satisfactory rate the presence of Ministers and MPs are crucial to see the acceleration of the government's development programme, Wickremesinghe had observed.

The Premier has aired the view that as in the case of the peace process the public at the grassroots level too should be educated on the economic progress achieved by the government. For that the presence in the country of Parliament representatives is essential, he added.

Economic indicators are showing signs of recovery. The government had been able to control the inflation rate and the depreciation of Rupee, he said.

The Premier added that the benefits of the government's achievements could be passed on to the public before the end of the year.

Curtailment of Ministers' foreign travel and discipline in government were among the major pledges made by Wickremesinghe during his General Election campaign.

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