FM seeks approval to pay Sobitha Thera's hospital bills

A supplementary estimate was presented to Parliament yesterday to seek its approval to spend a sum of Rs 17.2 million to settle the outstanding bills for the emergency medical treatment of the late Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Nayaka Thera in Singapore.

This amount is to be spent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sought the approval of the House to spend Rs 18.8 million to purchase flag cars for the Sri Lankan missions in Brussels and Kuwait, and Rs 9.1 million to purchase official vehicles for the Sri Lankan missions in Geneva and Chennai.

Approval of the House was sought to spend Rs 12.2 billion -- pay for the helicopters procured under a Russian Credit Line in 2013. This payment is to be made by the Sri Lanka Air Force. Approval of the House was also sought for extra money to provide relief to the people as well. These included Rs. 500 million for the production of the nutritional packages given to expectant mothers, and Rs. 40 million for providing retirement benefits for the parliament staff.

Source - Daily Mirror