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)

Four Lankan criminals who have been wanted by the Sri Lanka Police for committing several crimes in the country have been arrested by Interpol.

The wanted criminals with red notices issued on them were arrested in Dubai and in three other countries, according to the Police Media Division.

Due to security reasons, Sri Lankan security authorities have taken steps not to reveal the names of the four suspects.

Sri Lankan security authorities had taken steps to submit to Interpol a list of names of Lankan criminals who have fled the country after being accused of committing several crimes, to continue their criminal and drug trafficking operations while staying in hiding overseas.

The Indian Police recently arrested in Mumbai, powerful drug trafficker and organised criminal Janith Madushanka Silva alias ‘Podi Lassie’ who was out on bail and fled the country illegally, while he was banned by Court from travelling out of the country. Sri Lankan authorities are currently in the process of making arrangements to repatriate Podi Lassie from India in consultation with Indian authorities.

Meanwhile, Police investigations have revealed that six out of the eight shootings that took place across the country so far this year have been carried out by organised criminal gangs.

According to the Police, five people had been killed and five others injured and hospitalised from these shootings that took place thus far in 2025. The most recent shooting took place in Mount Lavinia on Sunday (19) in which a 24-year-old youth named Savidu Tharusha, a resident of the Badowita area, was shot and killed by two gunmen on a motorcycle, who fled after the shooting.

The shooting was carried out near a restaurant on Siripala Mawatha, Mount Lavinia, by the two assailants. One of the suspects has been arrested by the Dehiwala Police together with the firearm used to carry out the shooting. Later, the motorcycle used for the crime was found abandoned in the Attidiya area on the same day by the Police.

Police probes have revealed that the victim is a close associate of the organised criminal gang member ‘Kos Malli’ who is currently living in hiding in Dubai. Police also suspect that the shooting has been carried out by the criminal gang leader ‘Badowita Asanka’.

(DailyNews)

(This story, originally published by DailyNews has not been edited by SLM staff)

To mark the upcoming Chinese New Year festival, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism jointly hosted a cultural celebration last night (Jan. 19) at the Cinnamon Life Hotel.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who attended the event as Chief Guest, delivered a congratulatory message from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for the Chinese New Year.

The celebration was also attended by former President – Maithripala Sirisena, former Prime Minister – Dinesh Gunawardena, Industry Minister – Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Minister Finance and Planning – Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma and other political dignitaries, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Qi Zhenhong, Prime Minister’s Secretary – Pradeep Saputhanthri as well as a large gathering of Sri Lankans and Chinese nationals.

Impressive Kungfu performances, colourful dances and musical performances graced the evening as well as traditional Chinese art forms such as paper cutting, calligraphy and sugar crafting.

A special delegation comprising 34 members from the Henan Art Troupe and the Sichuan Chef Team has also arrived in Sri Lanka as part of the New Year celebrations. In addition, the festivities will feature the “Chinese Food Festival” and the “Port City Chinese Cultural Night,” scheduled to take place from January 20 to 23.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, 2025 is the year of the wood snake. The Snake is known for qualities such as grace, intelligence, and intuition.

(Pics – Shanika Jayasekara / Video – Kelum Shivantha)