News

Cabinet decision on duty-free vehicle facility for lawmakers awaited

Published

6 years ago

2020/08/31

Sahan Weerasooriya

… SLPP biggest beneficiary, followed by SJB

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Co-cabinet spokesman Minister Udaya Gammanpila said that the Cabinet hadn’t so far discussed whether to continue or do away with duty free permits issued to members of parliament.

Pivuthuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and Energy Minister said so in response to a query raised by The Island.

Pointing out SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his election manifesto promised not to import vehicles for the government for a period of three years, The Island asked the co-cabinet spokesman whether the cabinet decided to continue the practice of issuing duty free vehicle permits or discontinue the facility especially in the wake of the unprecedented economic crisis caused by corona epidemic. The minister said that the issue hadn’t been discussed at the last two cabinet meetings.

In a section titled ‘An efficient governance mechanism,’ the SLPP in Oct 2019, assured in the run-up to the presidential poll that the procurement of vehicles for the public sector (including Ministers) and purchase of multi-faceted office facilities would be suspended for a period of 3 years. In addition, the renting of such facilities would also be stopped for a period of three years.

In terms of the permits, lawmakers are entitled to tax exemption to the tune of over Rs 33 mn.

A case filed against the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in late 2015 over its failure to initiate action in respect of lawmakers for selling vehicles imported under special facility exclusively provided to them is pending in courts.

In the 9th parliament, the SLPP is entitled for a staggering 145 duty free permits (128 for those elected and 17 for National List nominees) whereas the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) would receive 54 permits (47 elected and seven on the National List). The remaining permits are shared among the Tamil National Alliance (10/one NL), JVP-led Jathika Jana Balavegaya (3/one NL), Ahila Illankai Tamil Congress (3/one NL), EPDP (1), UNP (1 NL), SLFP (1), Our Power of People Party (1 NL), Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (1), Muslim National Alliance (1), Tamil Makkal Theshiya Kutani (1), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (1), National Congress (1) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).

In spite of repeated efforts, The Island couldn’t get in touch with Dr. Harsha de Silva to obtain views on the issuance of duty free facility at a time the government slapped an unprecedented ban on imports as a solution to deteriorating foreign reserves. Co-cabinet spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, too, couldn’t be contacted for his comments.

Sri Lanka is negotiating with India to re-schedule repayment of loans and an additional facility of USD 1.1 bn, having recently secured USD 400 mn loan facility. Of the 225 elected and appointed to the 9th parliament, there were 81 newcomers, parliamentary sources said, adding that of them, 16 were National List nominees. The rest had received multiple duty free permits with some of them entitled to the facility since 1989, the first election conducted under the Proportional Representation (PR) system.

Secretary to the Public Administration Ministry outspoken official J.J. Ratnasiri last week told a two-day orientation programme conducted at the parliamentary premises for new lawmakers that a decision hadn’t been taken as regards the duty-free vehicle permit. Speaking on facilities and various entitlements, Ratnasiri said that the ministry was yet to receive instructions in that regard.

Sources said that those lawmakers present refrained from raising any questions in that regard.

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President and Exco of Sri Lanka Cricket step down

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/29

Priyan

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced today (29) that the President of Sri Lanka Cricket and members of the Executive Committee have tendered their resignations.

The decision has been formaly communicated to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/29

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 April 2026, valid for 29 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Nagananda / Harshana

New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:

Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.

According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.

The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).

Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”

USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.

Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.

Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.

On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.

By Shamindra Ferdinando