Defence Ministry Secretary Major General (Rtd) Kamal Gunaratne said donating a day’s salary not applicable to Tri-forces, Police and Civil Defence Services personnel.

Last week, President's Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara requested the government servants to voluntary donate their salaries to the government to help the struggling economy.

Following this request, the Ministry has sent a circular, to Heads of all establishments under the Ministry’s purview requesting to contribute a certain amount either with half salary, week’s salary or a day’s salary of May from their staff members to the Government to overcome the present financial constraints.

“We have requested them to donate their salaries only according to their willingness to contribute to the request made by President’s Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara,” Gunaratne said.

Refuting certain social media comments on Defence Ministry’s directives to have a day’s pay cut from the Armed Forces and the Police, Maj. Gen. Gunaratne confirmed that this request was irrelevant to soldiers, sailors, airmen, Police and Civil Defence Department personnel to donate their day’s salary to the Government.