Nov 02, Colombo: The United Bhikku Front (UBF), the monk wing of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) says 20 percent of the 2013 budget is allocated to maintain politicians.

UBF General Secretary, Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thero told the media that the government has failed to allocate sufficient funds to essential sectors in the country but has allocated Rs 400 million as the expenditure for 10 senior ministers.

He explained that key sectors like education, health and agriculture have been allocated a total of 5.5 percent of the 2013 budget while the defence sector has been allocated 9.9 percent.

He added that Rs 7.4 billion has been allocated to the President from the 2013 Budget.

According to Ven. Palitha Thero, the government's debt burden has also increased as it is continuously obtaining and paying loans. The government has taken loans amounting to Rs 5.0 trillion and the country has to pay Rs 300 billion as interest annually, the Thero claimed.

He observed that 96 percent of the government income is spent on loan repayment.

"This government is wasting public money," he alleged.