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Video: Queries over Embassy spending on MPs

22 Aug 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lankan Missions in the United States and Britain have made payments amounting to millions of US dollars to cover the expenses of government MPs and ministers visiting these countries, though there was no special allocation made for the purpose, Parliament were informed today.

United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake questioned whether there was any budgetary provision to make such payments on behalf of politicians and government officials visiting various countries.

Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera, who responded on behalf of the external affairs minister, said the Sri Lankan missions had not made such payments as there was no budgetary allocation for that purpose.

However, Mr. Karunanayake said he had evidence to prove that such payments had been made by the Sri Lankan embassies in Washington and London on behalf of some politicians.

“I do not want to divulge the names of my colleagues in Parliament. However, our mission in Washington has spent two million US dollars on behalf of some MPs who went to the US recently,” he said.

Mr. Karunanayake said the Sri Lankan Embassy had made a payment to cover the entertainment expenses of two ministers who visited that country recently.

“If you do not reveal these names, I will do it,” he said.

Mr. Perera said whenever such payments were made, reimbursements would be sought from the relevant Government authority.

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Video: Queries over Embassy spending on MPs

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