Rolls Royces and BMWs to be imported for CHOGM

16 May 2013 01:10 am - 84 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The External Affairs Ministry is making arrangements to import 12 Rolls- Royce cars and 100 BMW cars for the use of the heads of state who are scheduled to visit Sri Lanka to participate in the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November, sources said.

However it is not known whether these vehicles are to be re-exported after use.

No one knows who is importing these cars, although the External Affairs Ministry is involved in the matter.

The price of the Rolls- Royce Ghost car varies between US$ 246,500 and US$ 290,000. (Rs.31,500,000 and Rs. 37,000,000). A Rolls- Royce Phantom Car costs between US$ 399,000 and US$ 470,000.(Rs.51,000,000 and Rs. 60,000,000).

A BMW 5 Series car costs between US$ 58,000 and US$ 70,000.( Rs.7,500,000 and Rs. 9,000,000). A BMW 7 Series costs between US$ 73,000 and US$ 140,000 (Rs.9,000,000 and Rs. 18,000,000).

It is usual to import Rolls Royce and BMW cars for such events.

The prices mentioned do not include customs duty and shipping costs.

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 - 84

vsh Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:42 AM

when I go through these all comments, most of them talk about cars, why can't we talk about benefits of having this event, i think most of them just ignore it, sad

Vernon Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:19 AM

Yes we have to host. But in the way we can afford. If we get a visitor to our home, we will host them within our means. Are we going to host our visitors by depriving our children of their needs. We must know where we stand.

twisted Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:19 AM

Pisu Poosage Modada Choon ROLLS ROYCE Gaman Biman

Wedamulla Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:20 AM

Who is this very Intelligent guy.

Nelson Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:13 AM

@ Dylan " we 'the people' are hosting it not just the government of Sri Lanka " a guy who posting via android phone will talk lot of economical point of view and future development. The pain of these kind a project bear by 80 % of lower middle class and poor people by Tex. That u never understand until u really experience it. Also dignity of a country is valued by people living status and hospitality. It does not rely on luxury cars. Effective management is fulfil the task with available resources. Wat we want is : Nice and patient ppl to say ayubowan, clean roads, standard car (wat v have enough), perfect peaceful hotel, amazing lankan food (if v satisfy wth thm wth food thats more enough) and proper coordination. Truth is every1 knws that these expenses are unwanted. But mom support her son though he is murder. sad that sme people have same mind for their supporting political party.

Suq Madique Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:08 AM

Even countries who can afford it do't go to such extremes to make an impression. This is pure unadulterated wastage and an extravagance we cannot afford.

tincup1961 Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:06 AM

Some people need to wise up.
This is the best opportunity Sri Lanka will get for a long time to demonstrate what a wonderful country and tourist destination it is.
If all these heads of states visit and leave with a positive attitude towards the country, only good will flow in the future.
Tourism is sure to receive a significant boost if SL is seen as a safe, friendly, hospitable country to visit.
Every Sri Lankan should positively get behind this and make sure SL gets as much out of this important World stage event as possible.

never4get Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:59 AM

This is what we say "munta hena gahanda oney"! All wasted to satisfy ones own self - to be the Chairman till the next session. These wont to be re-exported, these will automatically vanish into the private garages of the corrupt politicians, gamblers and drug dealers which the powers that be comprises!

Prabath Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:56 AM

This a big event for Sri-Lanka.Therefore it is fair enough to spend money to bring down Cars. We have to import Limousine For Hon President, Her Excellency Mrs Rajapaksha, Hon. Pry minister and fpr Hon. Foreign Minister. We must show to the world that we are also able to do such events. I hope a Grand event in November. We can promote Sri-Lanka as a Tourist destination.

weha Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:49 AM

we 'idiots' shout because ultimately we will be paying for these in the form or taxes and price hikes. you brainy guys don't understand that ne

Ranga Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:43 AM

After selling and getting the money, the British PM could say he won't come as the HR situation has not changed...

Lankashantha Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:21 AM

If our Government thinking tanks are good, then they can hire those cars from Australia who happened to hold the event in 2011.

mohamed asfar Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:29 AM

try hard guys, anybody can buy a bmw but not rolls royce. sri lanka is the land of opportunity now.

Ruvishka Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:27 AM

Mate, Dont showcase your low level of common sense in this forum. Do your self that favor. Youre talking out of your A**

Abr Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:21 AM

You must be govt stooge. Clean suit empty pocket. This govt will make Sri Lanka another Greece. The leaders will disappear abroad with the ill gotten wealth and leave us citizens to pay for their greed.

zorro Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:17 AM

most of the state heads do travel with less prominent cars AUDI, PEUGEOT... or BMW then why do we need to entertain them with RRs. Out of that the economic status of SL is well known to other country leaders, why are we trying to make a show? are they going to belive like most of our country men that SL is the best, rich and most literate country in the world! This show is just to grab the cars after the CHOGM. The best way may be to lease or hire some Limousines from Singapore or Malaysia! A huge cut in the cost but the commissions lost for the profiteer.

Just4Justice Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:06 AM

Dear External Affairs Ministry... it would be very nice if you can add Bugatti & Maserati too into your list.

lankaputha Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:08 AM

Why importing can't we rent out, I am sure it is a fraction of the importing price...
On the other hand, who is going to use it after the event ?

sara Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:00 AM

ohh yeah..... some marutis would be great ha ha . via DM Android App

Nirmal Fernando Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:05 AM

Our president cares about the people....

Kotipathiya Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:00 AM

Surely, it will go back to my backyard for my kiddies to practice driving

sajith Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:24 PM

Their try to bring all these luxury vehicles under the name of this event. Guess who will use them after the ceremony??

Saradial Friday, 17 May 2013 10:14 AM

Yes its good idea, still government sell them in local market

Ahamed Friday, 17 May 2013 09:57 AM

Fool don't you understand the are spending tax payers money, not their own money

Saradial Friday, 17 May 2013 09:54 AM

We will not worry if external Affairs Minister spend from his pocket.

ocean Friday, 17 May 2013 03:35 AM

we must learn to live within our means!
get the ministers to give up their expensive rides for a couple of days.

sabreen Friday, 17 May 2013 02:47 AM

These bunch of cars could be utilized for next night race.

sahdi Thursday, 16 May 2013 04:17 PM

COMMON WEALTH is not good for SRILANKANS HEALTH......!

Pro Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:42 PM

very true , they will even help starving people

Pro Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:03 PM

instead of focusing on HR , this govt doing stupid thing , still participant s will focus on HR issues

cow Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:00 PM

Nice excuse for the family to own Rolls Royce cars

Duppatha Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:50 PM

If they voted against SL they get a BMW, if they voted for they get a RR

weir Thursday, 16 May 2013 06:56 AM

and when the bash of the elite finishes?

wasanthi Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:11 PM

All the people should come together as a nation and country leaving political ideologies and back the government to hold a memorable event. This will bring credit to our country and our leaders.. There for it is reasonable to import luxury cars.By doing so we must prove that Sri-Lanka is a country with Human rights.

Pramod Fernando Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:06 PM

So you mean, badata lunu kenda passata willuda.....

Kush Talks Thursday, 16 May 2013 11:39 AM

Seriously? These idiots can't hire if they really want? Or they can't use "mahinda chintana" and use MICRO cars? WTFFFFFFF

srinath.gunaratne Thursday, 16 May 2013 10:33 AM

Commonwealth is Briton's colonial club and outdated for the modern world. The SL tax payers spend 1 billion to entertain these idiots to come and talk bullshit. This will do nothing for tourism, This is a nice opening for the HR vultures to discredit SL

Mattson Thursday, 16 May 2013 10:30 AM

Coming colors of a true Ugandan dictatorship...

Sim Thursday, 16 May 2013 09:53 AM

Take a loan and treat the Guest. Who will repay this massive loan?

Amschel Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:39 AM

How long we need to understand that before we all die without food, we have to chase these government out and take them to
court.
Most of the leaders with a conscience and a backbone will anyhow not come. Only second and third grade. The politicians from Aus, GB, Canada are not used to ride too luxurios. Only the leaders of Pariah states like Sri Lanka think the best is not good enough for them.
It is only prestige, if the President says " Sorry, but we are a 3rd world country and before all my people don't have food, I will not buy RR or BMW's" everyone will applaud.

hb Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:39 AM

I'm guessing these cars will be imported either by the economic development ministry or the urban development authority!

MODA SINHALAYA Thursday, 16 May 2013 08:30 AM

I think DM should ask the Commonwealth local office for comment on this alleged waste

Upali Thursday, 16 May 2013 02:07 AM

12 RRs and 100 BMWs? Not enough at all, we have more than 3000 deserving cases, even if we ignore the fellows on the opposite side.

ibnu aboo Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:06 AM

will those cars be used even to thr leaders of states that voted against srilanka in Geneva

JG Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:05 AM

In 1995 president Premadasa authorised certain selected individual to import Mercedes Benz 500's on a duty free basis on condition that they be first used in the SAARC conference and thereafter returned to the owner, thus no expnse to the govt, but a gift of millions of rupees worth duty to these individuals.

Gamaya Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:01 AM

Yes some take the bicycle while others take public transport.
Top of that most countries could be absent from the event too.

God bless all of us !

Truth Hurts Thursday, 16 May 2013 02:58 AM

SOME OF OUR MINISTERS AND VIP FAMILY MEMBERS ARE GOING TO BE VERY LUCKY!

Bushel Perera Thursday, 16 May 2013 02:51 AM

NAYA WELA THARU PAHE HOTEL EKAY MAGUL KANAWA. EETA PASSE GEVAPAN NAYA.

Upali Thursday, 16 May 2013 02:32 AM

Foreign currency? Not a problem, send some slaves to Middle East.

Kiwi Thursday, 16 May 2013 02:24 AM

No! Your car, your petrol BUT I go in it!!!

Dalu Banda Thursday, 16 May 2013 02:16 AM

it is better that you buy the best for the distinguish guests.

demeter Thursday, 16 May 2013 02:15 AM

Probably the main reason they are so keen to hold the summit...also great opportunity for the agents as well... no tenders nothing...

poor Thursday, 16 May 2013 02:11 AM

Where will they go after the event?

Fayad Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:15 AM

1.3 billion for cars then food & longeing & other expenses do we need to incur. such a cost when we are finding difficult to reduce the light bill &,cost of living

felix Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:57 AM

Hmm. Sri Lanka has enough foreign currency surplus. So What.?..They can always increase prices again to cover up.

uh Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:00 AM

gevapan light bila!!!! via DM Android App

Sonali De Silva Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:53 AM

"No one knows who is importing these cars"... Those who know, know. We will get to know only after the meeting is over. Isn't this the case every time when it comes to something this colossal ?

ANTON Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:43 AM

SEEMS ELECTRICITY TARIFF HAS ALREADY COMMENCED THE EXECUTION.

Premalal Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:38 AM

The prime ministers of UK, Canada, Aus, NZ and India could have a problem because they are used to traveling in ordinary cars in their own countries.

Dylan Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:00 AM

If we have undertaken the responsibility of hosting such an event.. we have to keep up to the status of the event.. this is a good summit to bring to Sri Lanka and we must all play our part in making it a success. Sri Lanka is hosting it which means we 'the people' are hosting it not just the government of Sri Lanka
via DM Android App

nathen Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:30 AM

i'm sure we will see our good for nothing ministers using these cars after the meeting. what a waste of public money. All the ministers should learn to use bullock carts as they can use themselves to pull it.

sarangafdo Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:28 AM

Don'T worry people,as a government we have to do this,we should promote sl to heads of states..wait another year,we r going to dig out oil,goverment can cut the expenses,by selling out oil..be patient..from a goevrnent minister...

Punchi Putha Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:22 AM

My car, my petrol! Oh my!

mohamed asfar Thursday, 16 May 2013 04:23 AM

guys, try to become rich rather than complain about everything. we need some rolls royce and bmw. yeah.........

RamUK Thursday, 16 May 2013 06:45 AM

These guys lives in fantasy land so many poor ppl in this country...

Trehan Munasinghe Thursday, 16 May 2013 05:47 AM

I hope I get a BMW .... TAX FREE !!! In this Miracle Land of Asia

rif Thursday, 16 May 2013 05:47 AM

There will be new duty increase soon,
Mainly Telecom, Sugar, wheat flour . water, much more
with in three months Govt will recover it

Darren Thursday, 16 May 2013 05:50 AM

@ Dylan ,I fully agree with you.Sad to say that some idiots can not understand that.In 1976 CHGM we imported Peugeots and other cars from all around the world .why not now?

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 16 May 2013 05:50 AM

But the chap who is out leader does not belong to that culture...for him public money is not accountable.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 16 May 2013 05:49 AM

Yes yes anay, I can't wait for all that oil to gush out...so that I can have a french or british housemaid in my house.

Critic Roshan Thursday, 16 May 2013 05:43 AM

Matath Ekak!

Upul Thursday, 16 May 2013 05:41 AM

There is no need to re export the cars after the meeting.
They can be used to reward the loyalties of cabinet collegues.

Jayawewa!!!!

Batman Thursday, 16 May 2013 04:38 AM

Will the cars go back after the event ?????

saman Thursday, 16 May 2013 04:30 AM

Why not import few Maruties from India?

GonAliya Thursday, 16 May 2013 01:23 AM

Make hay while sun shines

ibnu aboo Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:48 AM

First deserve, then desire

GC Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:44 AM

I believe you are just being sarcastic but readers miss this in a hurry.

ss Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:00 AM

85% of loans invest for North(news) via DM Android App

John Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:43 AM

....and public transport....

ss Thursday, 16 May 2013 12:00 AM

after CHOGM we can buy minister's old pajero jeeps.via DM Android App

weha Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:35 AM

So you say we have to take loans to spend billions to entertain a few for a few days and then pay the debt for generations to come? it is like a typical srilankan wedding where they take loans to celebrate and endup working day and night to pay the debt. but in this case it will be the poor people who will be paying.

poorman Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:33 AM

It Is fair to give our Ministers and PC members a Rolls Royce or BMW. I agree fully with the decision We must show our Quality of life. Please provide at-least a Toyota Allion to pradesiya sabaha members.

heshk Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:31 AM

Agreed that it is important to our image to provide the best for our guests. One question though: What happens to the cars after the summit?

Crow Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:20 AM

THAT IS GOOD IDEA> WELCOME, GO AHEAD.

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.

Rolls Royces and BMWs to be imported for CHOGM

Comments - 84

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

New Visa procedure implemented

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

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

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations