State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasingha and Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena today expressed contradictory statements over the salary payments of government employees, signaling that all is not right and statements are being made without final confirmations.

Semasingha in a statement said that there shouldn’t be undue fears regarding the payment of government employee salaries or welfare benefits including Samurdhi and priority would be given to government employee salaries, pensions and welfare benefits schemes.

Semasinghe said that even though the country's economy is at a stable level Sri Lanka has not yet come out of the crisis completely. 

“There shouldn’t be any undue fear about this. In addition, the government is implementing an orderly and systematic plan to settle the bills due in consultation with the relevant line ministries," he said.

Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena however, said at a cabinet briefing that the Treasury is currently facing a severe depletion of funds.

He said the payment of government employees’ salaries and other welfare expenses such as the Samurdhi allowances have proved difficult for the months of January, February and March.

He said that the payment of Samurdhi allowances to all low-income families is likely to be delayed by nearly two weeks. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)