President’s Secretary Dr. N.S Kumanayake has instructed Ministry Secretaries on the process to be followed while appointing consultants and staff for each Ministry.

It has been mentioned that the maximum number that can be appointed for the personal staff of a Minister is 15 and the maximum number that can be appointed for the personal staff of a Deputy Minister is 12.Accordingly, for a Minister, two personal assistants, two co-ordinating secretaries, a press secretary, a public relations officer, five management assistants, two office assistants and two drivers can be appointed. For a Deputy Minister.

two coordinating secretaries, three management assistants and one each for other posts can be recruited. It also states that one’s family members or close relatives cannot be appointed for these posts.

It also states that the maximum number of official vehicles allotted to a Minister and a Deputy Minister is two. It also specifies the limit for phone expenses and the maximum limit is Rs.20,000 for office and residential and Rs.10,000 for mobile phones.

The telephone charges for the staff are also mentioned in it and it is also stated that telephones and equipment should not be provided at the expense of the Government for the support staff of Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

(dailynews.lk)(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)