Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said Presiden's Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundara's request to donate the salary of government workers for the month of May to the government was a mere personal request.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Gunawardena said it should only be done on a voluntary basis.

"As the most senior state sector official, Dr. Jayasundara has a right to make such a request," he said.

However, the Secretary's personal request came with the official letterhead of his office drawing criticism on social media.

The Cabinet Spokesman said the attacks directed at the senior official were unfair.