Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera has issued the circular to all Ministry Secretaries on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “It is the expectation of the President that the staff, the number of security officers and the other facilities would, as far as possible, be maintained subject to the minimum limits,” the circular added.

The circular also noted that necessary action should be initiated to formally take over the vehicles already allocated to all the former Ministers, Non-Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers who no longer hold office as well as their staff.It also advised to return any excess vehicle in the Ministries to the Finance Ministry.

“Since it is necessary that requirements are met as far as possible within the limits of the resources currently available, you are kindly requested to make the necessary arrangements for the excess vehicles in the Ministry to be handed over to the Office of the Comptroller - General of the Ministry of Finance with the relevant records once each Cabinet Minister, State Minister and the staff are allocated the required number of vehicles,” the circular stated.

“The President has emphasized the fact that the Authorities concerned should make every effort to ensure the utilization of public funds economically, with optimum efficiency and productively,” the circular added.The copies of the circular have also been sent to the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary to the Cabinet Ministers,  Auditor General and the Controller General as well.