Of that allocation Rs 73.17 billions had been spent to pay the salaries, he said.
The minister said so responding to a question raised by UNP Colombo District MP Sujeewa Senasinghe.
Minister Gunawardena said that security force members who contributed labour and skills in Colombo Beautification projects had not been paid anything additionally except their food allowances.
The minister said that the government had made higher allocations of funds to the Defence Ministry for they contribute heavily for the development and protection of the country. “Even during the times of war we allocated funds like that and it was the reason for the victory of war. We strengthen the tri forces because it would strengthen the country,” he said. (Special Reporter/HC)