The government has identified 344 luxury vehicles previously used by former ministers and presidents, which are set to be auctioned or repurposed. As part of its efforts to reduce benefits for parliamentarians in line with the election manifesto, the government has decided not to allocate state-owned bungalows to ministers, a minister revealed yesterday.
Additionally, the duty-free vehicle permits, traditionally granted to MPs every five years, will be discontinued.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, who also oversees parliamentary affairs, told that decisions regarding the state bungalows previously assigned to ministers in past governments are under review.
The minister also announced that instead of duty-free permits, MPs from all parties will be provided with cost-effective and fuel-efficient vehicles. There have been widespread criticisms in the past about MPs misusing their duty-free permits for personal financial gain, with permits being sold to others for substantial amounts to import luxury vehicles without paying import duties.
Furthermore, the government has resolved to eliminate pension benefits for MPs from now onward. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake plans to submit a Cabinet proposal seeking approval to auction some of the 344 identified luxury vehicles, including high-end V8 models.
