The Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs has announced that all Members of Parliament (MPs) will now be provided with fuel-efficient vehicles, marking the end of the era of luxury cars for lawmakers. Minister Ananda Wijeypala confirmed that these vehicles would be used by MPs to perform their public duties throughout their term, in a move aimed at reducing the waste of public funds.
Wijepala emphasized that super-luxury vehicles would no longer be provided, aligning with efforts to curb unnecessary government spending. Historically, MPs were given vehicle import permits instead of directly provided vehicles. This system led to concerns, as many MPs were rumored to sell their vehicle permits to others, a practice that became a subject of public debate.
During the presidential election campaign, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake promised that the privilege of vehicle permits would be abolished under an NPP government, reflecting the public’s growing frustration with such perks for elected officials. Given the current economic climate, the new move to offer fuel-efficient vehicles instead of luxury cars is seen as a step toward more responsible and transparent governance.
