Colombo, Dec 8 - Around 30,000 have deserted tri forces since 2021, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) revealed yesterday.

This was revealed when they took up the supplementary estimate for Rs 16.5 billion which is to be used to settle outstanding payments for suppliers of food to the forces.

The security forces officers who participated in the COPF meeting informed that one member of the security forces needs food which can give them 3400 kilo calories per day. They had informed COPF that it is difficult to purchase food to provide necessary nutrition for security forces. COPF Chief Harsha de Silva stressed the need to ensure that the funds are utilized effectively.

COPF also approved a Salary increase for the Chairman of the Bribery Commission. However, Dr. De Silva said the salary paid to the Bribery Commission Chairman should be similar to that of appeal court judges.

In addition COPF requested Customs to come up with a procedure where it could release 263 un- cleared vehicles with minimum loss to the government.