PM applies brakes on Ministers’ Rs. 1.2 b duty free vehicles spree

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed Treasury officials not to grant any money to purchase vehicles for government ministers until reconstruction of homes and state buildings damaged by the recent floods as well as the fire at the Salawa Army camp has been completed.

Wickramasinghe has stressed that the purchase of vehicles for ministers will not take place until necessary facilities have been provided to the people affected by the flood and the fire at the Kosgama Army camp.

The Premier also pointed out that funds should be allocated to renovate the damaged houses to the properties and business establishments in Kosgama and for the benefit of the people affected due to recent flood and the landslides. He gave these instructions in compliance with the basic principles of the Yahapalana Government to give preference to providing relief to the people.

The Treasury has been instructed to estimate the allocations needed to provide relief to the people affected by the natural disaster and the fire and the Treasury under no circumstance should make allocations for vehicle purchases.

Chief Government Whip and Parliamentary Affairs and Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilake on behalf of the Minister of Finance presented a supplementary estimate to Parliament for Rs 1.175 billion seeking the approval of parliament to purchase 32 vehicles for 30 ministers, deputy and state ministers.

The move to purchase vehicles for the ministers when the Government is burdened with a colossal debt drew flak from public and the opposition.

Among the list of Ministers, Rs.70 million will be allocated to Regional Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to purchase a vehicle. Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarainghe’s allocation will also be Rs.70 million to purchase two vehicles.

Minister of Home Affairs Vajira Abyewardena and Deputy Minister Nimal Lanza will be allocated Rs.98 million for two cars, Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando and his Deputy Tharanath Basnayake Rs. 91 million for two cars. Minister of Town Planning and Water Supply Rauff Hakim, Minister of Special Projects Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Wijith Vijaumuni Soyza, Minister of Power and Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, and Minster of Upcountry New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development Minister P. Digambaram will each receive Rs. 35 million to purchase vehicles.

Deputy Minister of Megapolis and Western Province Development Lasantha Alagiyawanna’s vehicle will cost Rs. 56 million while Deputy Minister Tourism and Christian Affairs Arundika Fernando, Deputy Minister of Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara, Deputy Minister of Housing and Construction Indika Bandarnayake, and Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Management Susantha Punchinilame will Rs. 28 million each for their vehicles.