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All MPs on track to get tax payer financed cars

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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)

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Indian High Commissioner meets Defence Secretary

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The Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha met the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry yesterday (07).

The discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, underscoring the deep-rooted bilateral ties between the two nations.

They exchanged views on regional security and maritime cooperation aimed at enhancing defence collaboration.

The Indian High Commissioner emphasized India’s unwavering support for Sri Lanka in defence and security matters, particularly in counter-terrorism, maritime security and disaster response.

The Defence Secretary expressed appreciation for India’s continued assistance and acknowledged the significant role of defence partnerships in ensuring stability and security in the region.

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Security enhanced around Krrish Building after fire incidents

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The Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs says security measures have been reinforced around the Colombo Fort Krrish Building following two recent fire incidents.

Minister Ananda Wijepala confirmed that nearly 20 police officers have been deployed for the security of the area. 

A report from the Government Analyst regarding the fires is expected soon. 

Fires were reported over the past two days, at the Krrish Building, which is currently under construction. 

A fire erupted on the 24th floor yesterday and was extinguished with the help of six fire trucks. 

A fire broke out on the 35th floor the day before and spread to the 34th floor, prompting a multi-hour firefighting operation.

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Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara transferred

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Senior DIG Attorney-at-Law Waruna Jayasundara, who served as the Commandant of the Police Special Task Force (STF), along with several other high-ranking police officers, have been transferred.

The transfers include Senior DIGs and DIGs while they have been approved by the National Police Commission. These transfers are scheduled to be implemented from February 12.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that several Officers-in-Charge (OICs) are also scheduled to be transferred.

Following the transfers, the respective OICs will resume their normal duties in their new postings.

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