National People’s Party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has proposed a 75% cut to the salaries of local government councillors if the government claims it lacks the funds to hold local government elections. Dissanayake taking part in the debate on the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill yesterday in the parliament said his party would agree to slash the salaries of local government councillors by 50%. “Till the crisis is over, halve the salaries of local government councillors to reduce costs. If that is not enough, reduce it by 75%. We will agree to it. What is important is that the people be allowed to express their opinion through a vote in a fair and just manner to avert a disaster that may occur if their franchise is taken away,” he said.