Security Forces housing rent deduction stopped

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a special directive given to the Finance Ministry ordered the immediate cancellation of deduction of housing rent from the salaries of all Security Forces personnel, Director General of the Media Centre for National Security Lakshman Hulugalle said.

He said President Rajapaksa made this directive in accordance with the pledge he given to the Security Forces personnel in his Mahinda Chinthana programme.

"The order by the President is a fulfilment of a pledge made in Mahinda Chinthana in appreciation of the laudable contribution of the Security Forces to strengthen national security," Hulugalle added.

Following the directive given by the President, the Secretary to Finance Ministry has already given instructions to the Secretary to the Public and Home Affairs Ministry to cancel the housing rent deduction from the salaries of the Security Forces personnel.

The Security Forces personnel living in rented houses are entitled to a housing allowance depending on the areas they have rented their houses and 10 per cent of their salaries are being deducted to cover the cost.

According to the Defence Ministry, five percent of the salaries of an unmarried person are being deducted to cover the housing allowance.

"Following this directive all the members of the Security Forces will enjoy the privilege of the non-deduction of the house rent while receiving the housing allowance," Hulugalle added.