Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A.H.M.H. Abayaratne informed Parliament that steps will be taken to fill the 1,881 Grama Niladhari vacancies existing across the island by the end of this year.

He also informed the House that the Department of Examinations is currently taking steps to conduct training for them.

He made this statement while addressing the Budget Committee debate on the Ministries of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government and Labour held in Parliament yesterday (04). Continuing his speech,

It is necessary to fill the vacancies of Grama Niladharis in order to strengthen rural administration.

Accordingly, the training allowance of three thousand rupees provided to Grama Niladharis who render dedicated service for the progress of the village has been increased to 17,800 rupees from this year.

Similarly, their official uniform allowance has been increased threefold from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000. The office allowance has been increased by one hundred percent. Accordingly, it has been increased from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000.

The Minister also said that steps will be taken to amend their service regulations and implement them from June 1st this year.