In early June, the government sought parliamentary approval to purchase 32 brand new luxury vehicles for the use of several ministers and deputy ministers at a cost of Rs. 1.1 billion.
Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake , while agreeing that ministers and deputy ministers require vehicles to carry out their duties, he questioned whether it was fair to purchase super luxury vehicles from public money, especially when the government is trying to revive the country and pay off debts taken during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration, and while the public too was burdened with various taxes.
I agree, ministers and deputy ministers require vehicles to carry out their duties, however some ministers have gone to purchase super luxury SUVs, much to the disappointment of the public. I think we must not utilize the public money to purchase luxuary vehicles, especially at a juncture when we are struggling to pay off the debt taken by Rajapaksa,” Ramanayake said in his letter addressed to Sirisena on June 20, 2016.
Mid of this month, Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will replace all the luxury sedans with Toyota Avanzas for his cabinet members, as part of his austere style of governance.
Deputy Minister Ranjan has urged President Maithripala Sirisena to take cue from his Philippines counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, who has provided a mid-range vehicles to his Ministers. Instead of spending public funds to buy super luxury vehicles for ministers and deputy ministers, cheaper vehicles such as Toyotas could be provided to them.
Ramanayake added that if the President seriously considers this, it will cost the government only a fraction of the funds that has been set aside already for this purpose, while the balance money can be used for other purpose.
