Jathika Jana Balawega MP Devananda Suraweera has stated that the salaries of the President and all 159 Members of Parliament from his party are deposited into a collective party fund rather than being taken personally.
Speaking to the media, Suraweera emphasized that this practice is unique to their party and is a demonstration of discipline and collective responsibility, which he claimed no other political party in Sri Lanka or globally has implemented.
“The salaries of all 160 MPs, including the President, go directly into the party fund. This is a unified decision. This is what we call discipline. It is a culture we have cultivated within our party,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about how MPs sustain themselves financially, Suraweera noted that their primary personal expenses, such as fuel and phone bills, are managed with assistance from the party. “My biggest problem is paying for fuel and phone bills. I have people who provide me with meals. If the party can help solve those issues, we accept that support,” he added.
When questioned about whether receiving salaries directly from Parliament or accessing them through the party fund ultimately made any difference, Suraweera rejected the notion, arguing that their approach fosters a sense of collective responsibility and eliminates individual financial gain from parliamentary positions.
“Taking a personal salary and building a culture of shared resources to serve the people are two different things. It is wrong to equate them,” he asserted.
The statement has sparked discussion among political observers and the public, with some commending the move as a demonstration of transparency and others questioning the practicality and accountability of such a system.
