Vehicles for 58 parliamentarians put on hold

23 December 2016 10:07 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The move to provide vehicles to 58 parliamentarians under an operational lease at a total cost of Rs.2.4 billion, has been temporarily halted, UPFA General Secretary Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

The controversial move came under heavy criticism.

It ran into a snag when the Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Nimal Bopage refused to sign the document approving the issue of the vehicles. He said his refusal was based on several issues and that he was asked to “Sign or resign”.

Mr. Bopage said this proposal had not received the approval of the Technological Committee and that repayment was to be completed in 60 monthly instalments but the present parliament had only another 45 months to go and that he had no right to burden a future parliament with the remaining instalments.

Meanwhile, the 58 MPs were to hand over petitions to the President and the Prime Minister asking to remove Mr. Bopage from the post of ministry secretary. A government source said the MPs were of the opinion that Mr. Bopage should be removed from his post as he had opposed the Cabinet which had approved the proposal to provide the vehicles.

Earlier, Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted the fact that the 58 MPs were being currently paid a monthly transport allowance of Rs.200,000.

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Comments - 8

Madiya Saturday, 24 December 2016 09:22 AM

Oh! On hold till the Provisional Council Elections are over. We are waiting to cast our vote to these great patriots who need luxury cars to sever the people.

ANTON Saturday, 24 December 2016 09:40 AM

GOVERNMENT SANTA CLAUSE IS SICK THESE DAYS. HE MIGHT COME AFTER CHRISTMAS.

Geethika Liyanage Saturday, 24 December 2016 09:51 AM

Do you remember that something terrible happened to people in Salawa? Just asking.

ANTON Saturday, 24 December 2016 09:57 AM

I SUGGEST GIVING 58 " TUK TUKS " TO THESE PEOPLE.

Ramsay Saturday, 24 December 2016 10:43 AM

Can't wait to cast my vote

Rohan Saturday, 24 December 2016 11:45 AM

Does any of these 58 parliamentarians productive to the country?

Sincere Saturday, 24 December 2016 02:41 PM

The controversy will die down in 2 months sir. Then you can recommence it! We are so heartbroken to hear this sir!

Gamrala Saturday, 24 December 2016 08:06 PM

Now the 58 parliamentarians will resign because they cannot carry out their duties without the leased vehicles!

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Vehicles for 58 parliamentarians put on hold

Comments - 8

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