State expenditure will be curtailed drastically in the coming year, said state minister Janaka Wakkumbura.
He said state institutions have been asked not to hold festivals, celebrations and other functions in 2023.
Playing down calls for an election, Wakkumbura said that that would incur an immense cost on the economy.
With the retirement age in the state sector brought down to 60, he said more than 30,000 workers would retire today (31).
They include 1,100 in the CEB and 1,200 in the police.
The resultant vacancies will be filled expeditiously, he added.
