Colombo, April 10 - If the country's economy improves by next year, there can be optimism regarding the import of vehicles, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Addressing the media at an opening event in Dematagoda, he said Rs. 13 billion was paid additionally for the increase in state employee salaries. Accordingly, Rs. 107 billion was paid for state employee salaries for the month of April.

Meanwhile, the minister mentioned that the programme of providing ten kilogrammes each to 2.7 million families for the months of April and May will start on April 21. State Minister Siyambalapitiya said that more than half of the total number of families in Sri Lanka are entitled to this subsidy.