MPs' salary increase a misnomer - Jeyaraj

Uditha Kumarasinghe

KOTTE: Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle yesterday described the additional emoluments proposed for Parliamentarians as only a rectification of a long standing salary anomaly of MPs and not a pay increase made in various quarters.

He said following discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the next Cabinet meeting he will keep the House informed on the measures taken by the Government to rectify the salary anomalies of the Parliamentarians.

Fernandopulle reacting to a statement by Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera to the Lankadeepa on the salary increase of parliamentarians, said the statement conveyed a wrong impression to the public. The statement implies that the salary increase is to be made at the sole behest of the Government.

He said this will not be a salary increase of MPs. This will only be a move taken to rectify the salary anomalies. Even the UNP has agreed to rectify these salary anomalies at the Party Leaders' meeting. Only the JVP opposed it.

He said Parliamentarians have to be paid a reasonable salary. A Parliamentarian is paid a monthly salary of only Rs.22,100. The President's monthly salary is Rs. 25,000. At present a Public Servant is also paid a minimum salary of Rs. 11,600.

Minister's Coordinating Secretaries receive a Rs. 23,000 monthly salary while some corporation chairmen draw between Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 100,000 as their monthly salary.

"But all the shouting is only when steps are taken to increase the salaries of Parliamentarians. All MPs agreed to rectify these salary anomalies. After discussing this matter with the President and the Cabinet, I will keep the House informed regarding the matter," he said.

Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara said at the Party Leaders' meeting all party leaders agreed to rectify MPs' salary anomalies. "We have to look into Parliamentarians difficulties. At present criticism of Parliamentarians has become an art of media."

The Chief Opposition Whip said the UNP has unanimously agreed to this decision. Only the JVP said that they are opposed to this salary increase at the present juncture.

"When the salaries of judges were increased, I am the first person who requested to increase the salaries of the Speaker, MPs and the Prime Minister. But MPs' salaries were not increased parallel to the salary increases of judges. If some political party or politician is against this move, they can refuse to draw this salary increase."

Vijitha Herath (JVP) said the Cabinet approved the salary increase. In a situation where world fuel prices and the cost of living have gone up, what the JVP requested was not to make this salary increase at this juncture. Otherwise the JVP is not against rectifying the salary anomalies of Parliamentarians.

"But the dignity of an MP can only be gauged by the service he renders to the public and cannot be measured in terms of his salary." he said.

W.B. Ekanayake (UNP) said a Parliamentarian has to spend nearly Rs. 50,000 a month for fuel. In addition nearly Rs. 15,000 has to be paid monthly for his official residence, electricity, telephone and water bills.

A Parliamentarian has to attend public duties and bear all other expenses from his monthly salary. Even some Ministers' drivers get a higher 'take home pay' than the Minister.

Rajitha Senaratne (UNP) said some politicians who do not have a proper understanding on the Parliamentary traditions make various statements to be popular among the public. Parliamentarians should be treated with dignity. In a situation like this, we all should join hands.