Over a billion rupees have been allocated for special military allowances in Sri Lanka’s budget for this year.
Presenting the budget in parliament last week, Sri Lanka’s finance minister said Rs 1.175 billion had been allocated to increase allowances for military forces, including commando allowance, uniform allowance, rent allowance and ‘good conduct’ allowance. (See more from Colombo Page)
While calls to demilitarise and withdraw troops from the North-East continue, Sri Lanka's military spending remains disproportionately high almost a decade since the end of the armed conflict. In some cases the government has been forced to pay the Sri Lankan army compensation in exchange for the release of civilian lands.
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