by Shamindra Ferdinando

While people are being asked to tighten their belts, Members of the Parliament, irrespective of their political differences, can spend a day at General’s House in Nuwara Eliya, the luxurious MPs holiday bungalow, at a cost of just Rs. 100.

Rooms are available at Rs. 90 and Rs. 80 too in this bungalow with 19 separate units, well informed sources said.

Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara recently requested all MPs using the facility to strictly adhere to the applicable rules and regulations warning that any breach would prompt him to issue a letter of warning and suspension of reservations for three months.

This followed complaints of boisterous behaviour by MPs and their guests holidaying at General’s House.

The sources said that the Speaker’s directive followed a meeting of the House Committee last month.

Of the rooms with attached bathrooms, room No. 4 (upstairs double) had been reserved for the Speaker in keeping with tradition, they said.

MPs have been told that that the price of meals, desserts and soft drinks served to them as they enjoy the cool weather upcountry could vary due to prevailing cost of supplies.

Dues will be deducted from their monthly parliamentary allowance without the usual requirement of settling when leaving.

“The holiday perk is small change compared to other facilities enjoyed by the representatives,” the source familiar with the subject said.

An MP is permitted to reserve two rooms during the April-May season and three rooms off-season, depending on availability for a maximum period of five days.

No bhikku MPs of the JHU, though entitled to the holiday bungalow privilege, has used it up to now, the sources said.

The Island recently revealed the discussions in Parliament regarding a proposal to compensate the family of a member who died due to natural causes to the tune of Rs. 5 million - earlier available to MPs killed in an LTTE attack.

Parliament is also looking at a mega housing scheme MPs at taxpayers’ expense.