Vehicles for 58 MPs-25 Mn as Imp. duty on each: Ravi

18 November 2016 10:34 pm - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government will receive Rs.25 million as import duty for each of the 58 vehicles which are to be given to 58 MPs, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament today.

He said this in response to a question asked by Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday and added that the government would actually save money through this transaction.

“The vehicles will be imported by a private company on an operational lease and therefore it would be possible to save a considerable amount of funds," the minister said adding that the cost of repairs would have to be borne by the importer and as such there would be a reduction on the expenditure involved.

The minister said there were several instances where bills were being produced by those using state vehicles to get funds reimbursed but an operational lease would prevent such eventually in the future.

He said the MPs were being paid Rs.200,000 as transport allowance because the tender process for ordering the new vehicles took time.

"In future all vehicles for State use will be acquired on an operational lease except those imported for use by the President and the Prime Minister," he said.

He said government MPs needed vehicles because they had to carry out various kinds of work for the people. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 22

Gayan Perera Saturday, 19 November 2016 07:28 PM

The Prime Minister of The Netherlands is using a bicycle to go to work, and a few of the 10 ( ! ) Ministers take the train.

Henry Wednesday, 23 November 2016 05:13 AM

You and Me plus income of poor housemaids in ME

Lalindra Saturday, 19 November 2016 10:08 PM

Whom is trying to fool here? The company which leases out the vehicles will include the duty in there lease rental and the government will pay it from the tax money.

Tax payer Saturday, 19 November 2016 09:55 PM

As long as this man is the Finance Minister he will do all the juggling todeceive the masses. via DM Android App

Shelly. Saturday, 19 November 2016 09:16 PM

I was overjoyed when F. M. said dont put your mistakes on my shoulderThe Govt. M. P. s must see to it that they do not yeald at questioning times. via DM Android App

sss Saturday, 19 November 2016 09:05 PM

An that money is in dollars

Lanka Saturday, 19 November 2016 09:03 PM

It's all about "luxury vehicles". What are the priorities? Have you visited the cancer hospitals, rural schools?

sss Saturday, 19 November 2016 08:56 PM

hey minister. Is that in dollars? Shameless people, Use housemaid sent dollars to import luxuries

Sincere Saturday, 19 November 2016 08:36 PM

Who will pay the duty?

Sincere Saturday, 19 November 2016 08:36 PM

Why not give them "small" cars you recommend and reduced in the budget? If they are good for the public, they must be good for MP's also!

Lanka Saturday, 19 November 2016 08:32 PM

It's all about "luxury vehicles"....have you looked around the suffering of people? Visit the cancer hospitals, visit rural schools what are the priorities in this country?

Don Saturday, 19 November 2016 08:39 AM

I wont voting for this minister. Cars made in Sri Lanka are good enough for our politicians. Finance ministry is just taxing and spending. via DM Android App

DG Saturday, 19 November 2016 12:59 PM

Govt receives Rs 25 Mn as Import duty from each vehicle. But reports said that govt pays for each vehicle for 60 months @ 700,000. total of Rs 42 Mn. Absurd explanation.

Sim Saturday, 19 November 2016 12:51 PM

How are you going to pay 40.6 ml per month

P.J.S.Fernando Saturday, 19 November 2016 12:25 PM

First the president and the prime minister should show an example by travelling in Sri Lanka-made vehicles.

change Saturday, 19 November 2016 11:59 AM

we pay taxes for these MPs to import luxury SUVs via DM Android App

TA Saturday, 19 November 2016 11:57 AM

Was this supplier selected through an open transparent tender process?

Union Saturday, 19 November 2016 10:42 AM

So you are prepared to spend Rs2.4 billion to get Rs25 million income from customs duty. It is very difficult to understand your logic.

TJ Saturday, 19 November 2016 10:36 AM

MPs should get vehicles not more than 1500cc made in Srilanka. Why do they require luxury vehicles when country remains poor.

Saman Saturday, 19 November 2016 10:04 AM

Who pays the custom duty ? We all know that MPs won't pay for anything from their own pocket right ?

Lakshman De Silva Saturday, 19 November 2016 09:21 AM

For these customs levies one can buy a luxury car in Japan and in the United States. Sri Lanka has the highest Import tax plus other levies to posses a car...shame white mministers and the head of state enjoys super luxurty vehicles free of any tax

lansur Saturday, 19 November 2016 08:49 AM

How can they afford that amount of duty???

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Vehicles for 58 MPs-25 Mn as Imp. duty on each: Ravi

Comments - 22

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