Aug 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Information and Media Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that the government has allocated Rs. 36 billion for the subsidies and welfare expenses this year.

The Minister pledged that the water and electricity tariffs would not be hiked in this year despite the increase of fuel prices.

Of the said expenses Rs.24.2 million is for subsidies and Rs.11.5 for welfare expenses, said the Minister addressing the cabinet press briefing today.

He said that the majority of these funds are being used to uplift the lives of the 70% rural population of Sri Lanka.