on cost-cutting drive Treasury orders state institutions to reduce utility bills, foreign trips curtailed View(s): View(s):The Treasury has issued strict directives to all state institutions to cut down expenses, as a cash-strapped government struggles to revive the economy in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks. Samaratunga has instructed state institution heads to pay personal attention towards minimising waste and economical usage of funds of expenditure for their agencies. They have been told to cut down on other basic requirements such as electricity, water, telephone and fuel. They have been strictly instructed that any payments should not be made in contravention of Public Administration regulations and Circulars. Under the key cost-cutting directives, state institutions have been requested to strictly adhere to regulations in paying overtime allowances, especially in calculating the number of hours as set out in Establishment Code and Circulars.

Source: Sunday Times July 20, 2019 19:52 UTC