In a recent disclosure by the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), approximately 30,000 individuals have deserted the Sri Lankan tri forces since 2021. This revelation surfaced during discussions on a supplementary estimate of Rs 16.5 billion allocated to settle outstanding payments for food suppliers to the armed forces.
Security forces officers, participating in the COPF meeting, emphasized the challenge of procuring nutritionally adequate food, citing the requirement of 3400 kilo calories per day for each member. COPF Chief Harsha de Silva underscored the importance of effective fund utilization in addressing this critical issue.
Furthermore, COPF approved a salary increase for the Chairman of the Bribery Commission. Dr. De Silva, however, insisted that the chairman's salary should align with that of appeal court judges.
In a separate matter, COPF urged Customs to develop a procedure facilitating the release of 263 uncleared vehicles with minimal government loss. This move seeks to streamline processes and minimize financial implications for the government.
