New vehicles for 225 MPs to arrive

11 July 2016 07:06 am - 35 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The vehicles of all 225 parliamentarians purchased using the special duty free permit provided to them is to arrive in the country within three to four months, Ministers Nimal Lansa and Thalatha Athukorale said.

Speaking of the controversy surrounding their vehicle purchases in social media with pictures, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nimal Lansa said he had purchased his vehicle, a Toyota V8, at a cost of Rs. 8.5 million.

“I did not purchase it through the ministry but through a private car dealer. I used the duty free permit that was provided to me as a parliamentarian to purchase this vehicle,” he said.

The Deputy Minister went on to say that he was not the only one who purchased the particular type f vehicle. “Eight others purchased it with me and there are 16 more that will come into the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Employment Thalatha Athukorala too confirmed that she too had purchased her vehicle, a Toyota Sahara, with her personal funds and not through her ministry.

“I used the permit to buy the vehicle. Some parliamentarians didn’t use their permits as they were waiting for the vehicle prices to increase, so they could bring it down and sell it. I have never done that nor will I ever do so,” she said.

The vehicles in her possession were purchased when her brother was a parliamentarian and when she was elected to parliament. “I did not sell any of the vehicles with my permits in 2004 and 2010. I will not do so,” she said.

The Prime Minister recently suspended the purchase of vehicles through ministries for a short period. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 35

Bubble Banda Monday, 11 July 2016 12:02 PM

Still Kollanawa, Kelaniya, Wellampitiya people are suffering after the floods, but our Ministers are floating with luxury vehicles. Good show...

yakadaya Monday, 11 July 2016 11:29 AM

Another blow to the people courtesy : YAHAPALANAYA

Ram Monday, 11 July 2016 11:31 AM

They have done nothing but get a lavish life, i have paid tax for the last 16 years to pay for these jokers and what do i get ??? Difference between Mahinda and Yahapalanaya nothing...

ragama nona Monday, 11 July 2016 11:31 AM

Dear President /PMThis is very bad .first priority to the people who cast their vote. please construct diyagalawatte bokkuwa,which wasn't done for the last one year. People are finding great difficulty to cross the bridge to go Ragama. I find this very eccentric.

Kadupol Jothywansa Monday, 11 July 2016 11:53 AM

Not only vehicles they have bought mansions all over the world.

Siri Monday, 11 July 2016 11:56 AM

you are correct

J Palitha Monday, 11 July 2016 11:58 AM

We know about our Deputy Ministers who were even unable to purchase a push bike those days.... now !!!

siriPala Monday, 11 July 2016 11:59 AM

I agree with you

Kadupol Jothywansa Monday, 11 July 2016 11:59 AM

Don't worry as usual our PM's term will be only two years.

ranmala Monday, 11 July 2016 11:06 AM

None of them deserve such expensive vehicles. They are peoples servants not masters As such they have to abide by the verdict of the people. Low cost ordinary vehicles

Vijith Pieterz Monday, 11 July 2016 12:04 PM

In a way, MR is reasonable.

Dee Monday, 11 July 2016 01:45 PM

This is way better than selling permits and using department and ministry vehicles.

Ajith Monday, 11 July 2016 02:07 PM

Also pl pay VAT on medical bills, we want to take everything away..

sobers Monday, 11 July 2016 02:10 PM

Politicians cheated us yesterday, They are cheating us today and they will cheat us tomorrow. Never to be born in this country again.

KAD Monday, 11 July 2016 02:13 PM

Politicians(Not all, but majority), the third class category people in the country

Don Monday, 11 July 2016 02:41 PM

Don't you question from where they got this millions of Rupees? Just imagine if one has to spend 8.5 million on his vehicle alone , his net worth should be more than 100 million

Borallu Monday, 11 July 2016 06:53 PM

We are fools to pay this 12,000 and it is for govt ministers to enjoy at our expense. Next they will add VAT on it? God Bless SL

Sathees Tuesday, 12 July 2016 05:05 AM

We need a revolution to take back the country from politicians.

Dellon Monday, 11 July 2016 09:20 AM

One word (disgusting) yamapalanaya

Citizen Monday, 11 July 2016 07:32 AM

It's amazing how on a parlimentarian's salary they can purchase luxury vehicles!

Kugan Monday, 11 July 2016 07:36 AM

What a timely needed essentials should have given to their partners as well.

karu Monday, 11 July 2016 07:43 AM

Yahapalanaya to Yakkapalanaya.

Laljee/QATAR Monday, 11 July 2016 08:09 AM

Dear mrs.Athukorala ! What about the. Ratagiya Attho ? Don't they deserve a car permit ? Every once in two years you charge us 12000/- rupees for what ? Is it a punishment Tax for bringing enormous amount of foreign Exchange to the Government to cover up corruption?

Citizen Monday, 11 July 2016 08:31 AM

We ordinary citizens are the unluckiest people in the world, while lankan politicians are the luckiest in the world.

Henry Monday, 11 July 2016 08:59 AM

API PERATA RATA PASSATA CHANDA DAAYAKAYA WALATA

LALITH Monday, 11 July 2016 09:01 AM

WHAT A PITY TO READ THESE NAME LABEL OF MP WHO NEVER SPOKE DURING ELECTION TIME AS SOON AS THEY COME TO POWER THEY NEED 4WD VEHICLES.WITHOUT HELPING THE COUNTRY MEN FIRST AND FOREMOST THE POLITICIANS FILL THERE ARE STOMACH IN OTHERS WORDS ITS LIKE RAJAPAKSE FAMILY MUSIC NOW THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT SINGING THE MUSIC WITH A DIFFERENT LYRICS.THIS IS REALLY SAD AFFAIRS IN SRI LANKA.

kumara Monday, 11 July 2016 09:02 AM

for ordinary citizen they have block all the posibilty to buy a car. Please some body slap me hard!!! because i too Vote for this change...and now i realise its just day dream!!!

lokka Monday, 11 July 2016 01:04 AM

api konde bandala na via DM Android App

Meril Monday, 11 July 2016 09:26 AM

I don't see anything wrong, If they have purchased it from their personal funds.

Roman Monday, 11 July 2016 09:46 AM

8.5 Mn for a brand new 2016 Toyota V8!! Shoo! Privileged people ah.. no wonder every man jack wants to get into Diyawannawa!

din Monday, 11 July 2016 09:53 AM

such morons via DM Android App

kk Monday, 11 July 2016 09:57 AM

if we sent beggars to parliament we suffer too via DM Android App

De Silva Monday, 11 July 2016 10:10 AM

Thank You Mr.Prime Minister. We will pay the tax.

anil Monday, 11 July 2016 10:14 AM

May be those MPs dont know that. May be their secretaries have ordered them. If that so please use them for tourist transportation and use the profit to feed the poor.

Greed Monday, 11 July 2016 10:24 AM

We do not know where to go and complain about this 'vehicle' menace. Our 'parliamentarians' are too greedy for money

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

New vehicles for 225 MPs to arrive

Comments - 35

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES