In a significant move following the dissolution of Parliament, Advocate Kushani Rohanadhira, the Secretary General of Parliament, has announced the cancellation of diplomatic passports previously issued to all former ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs). This decision impacts a total of 219 former MPs, along with their close relatives, while excluding certain key figures such as the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, and members of the Constitutional Assembly.
Chaminda Kularatne, the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, confirmed that all affected MPs have been personally notified about the revocation of their diplomatic passports. Traditionally, diplomatic passports are issued to ministers, their spouses, and children under 18, as well as to other MPs and their families.
Additionally, Kularatne stated that official flight permits previously granted to ministerial staff members have also been revoked. The Immigration Department has communicated these changes to the authorities at Katunayake Airport to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
This development is part of a broader trend of accountability and oversight in the government following the dissolution of Parliament