Govt. to dispose fuel-intensive luxury vehicles

Wednesday, 4 December 2024 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Anura

Kumara Dissanayake

The Government has decided to evaluate and dispose of high-maintenance, fuel-costly super-luxury vehicles in Government institutions to reduce expenditures.

The decision made at Monday’s Cabinet meeting was a proposal submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, focused on streamlining the Government vehicle fleet, targeting vehicles with higher engine capacities that drive up maintenance costs.

As part of this initiative, the President has ordered a study of Government vehicles.

The Secretary to the Treasury is authorised to issue instructions for the disposal of vehicles with petrol engines over 1800cc and diesel engines over 2300cc excluding double cabs/single cabs/vans/buses) falling under customs code 87.03.

Chief Accounting Officers must complete the disposal by 1 March 2025, following the procurement procedure and report to the Controller General of the Treasury.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the evaluation will include all vehicles in Ministries, Secretariats, State institutions, Departments as well as development projects.

He added that the report of the committee, chaired by former Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chithrasiri, tasked with reviewing the allowances and entitlements of Members of Parliament, Ministers, and former Presidents submitted to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday will has further recommended measures to curb unnecessary expenditure in the State sector.