The Parliament of Sri Lanka has issued a clarification regarding a recent report in Irida Lankadeepa that compared the costs of tea parties held after the ceremonial openings of the Ninth and Tenth Parliaments.

According to the Parliament Secretariat, the tea party following the Ninth Parliament’s opening on 20 August 2020 cost Rs. 287,340, while the event held after the Tenth Parliament’s opening on 21 November 2024 amounted to Rs. 339,628.55.

The statement explained that the increased costs are primarily due to the economic downturn over the four-year period, with the prices of goods and services rising by approximately 100% in 2024 compared to 2020.

Additionally, the latest tea party was attended by a broader group, including Members of Parliament, state diplomats, ministry secretaries, senior state officials, invitees, and parliamentary staff, which contributed to the higher expenses.

The Parliament Secretariat highlighted these factors to clarify the context of the increased expenditure.