Connect with us

News

All MPs on track to get tax payer financed cars

Published

on

Sri Lanka’s parliamentarians are on track to get completely tax payer financed vehicles instead of the earlier practice of financing their own cars without tax, according to statements made by government spokesman.

“To all parliamentarians, including opposition members, the government will give a vehicle to do their work,” Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told a late-night talk show on Sri Lanka’s Derana television.

There had been unhappiness at the way politicians and government workers were given tax free and tax slashed cars, in a selective application of the law, when the public had to pay very high taxes for cars and motorcycles.

Unlike other people, MPs are the people who vote to charge high taxes from the people.

The practice started in the 1980s.

The anchor pointed out that the tax payer will now have to pay the cost of the vehicle as well under the planned policy.

It is not clear whether the tax-free, cost-free cars for 225 legislators will also be maintained at tax payer expense.

MPs will also be allowed to buy the vehicle at the end of 5 years at a depreciated price, Minister Herath said.

“When it is a government vehicle, they will not be careful about its use,” Minister Herath said.

“That is a problem with government vehicles. Even if is damaged they will not fix it. If we create a situation where they can get it after the end of five years base on how they have used it, on the valuation they can get it.”

Government vehicles are usually not insured. It is not clear whether the accidents will be repaired at tax payer expense or whether insurance will also be paid at tax payer expense.

National Peoples Power MP Dharmapriya Dissanayake had earlier told reporters that all parliamentarians will get new cars.

If old cars are given there will be complaints that vehicles have different mileage, Minister Herath said.

“We have to give everyone a car equally,” Minister Herath said. “If used vehicles are given there will be a problem. One person is given a vehicle driven for 45,000. The other one is given 60,000. So one MP will say the one was treated this way.

“The government MP was given this and we were given this. That cannot happen.”

Government Minister are usually given tax payer financed cars.(economynext.com)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by economynext.com has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

One injured in Kotahena shooting

Published

on

By

A person has been injured and hospitalized following a shooting incident at Benedict Mawatha in Kotahena, police reported.

Continue Reading

News

SLC announces 16-member squad for ODI series

Published

on

By

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has selected a 16-member squad to play in the two-match ODI series vs Australia.

The RPICS in Colombo will host the first ODI on February 12 and the second on February 14.

Both games are day games. The match starts at 10 am.

Continue Reading

News

PM and IMF Executive Director discuss economic stability and policy reforms

Published

on

By

Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dr. Krishnamoorthy Subramanian has paid a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo.

The meeting focused on key economic matters, including Sri Lanka’s tax policy, the effective management of tax revenue, and measures to enhance public sector efficiency, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

The Prime Minister also outlined the government’s future development agenda, emphasizing policy initiatives to ensure economic stability and foster sustainable growth, it added.

Dr. P.K.G. Harischandra, Alternate Executive Director of the IMF, also participated in the discussions.

The Sri Lankan delegation included Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary (Development) to the Prime Minister; Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank; Dr. Lasitha R.C. Pathberiya, Additional Director of Economic Research; Amila J. Wijayawardhana, Senior Economist and Liaison Officer for the IMF Executive Director; Ms. Lashinka Dammullage, Director (Bilateral), Economic Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Samantha Bandara, Director General of the Department of External Resources.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved