Former MP Chandima Gamage has revealed that Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe is using a Land Rover Discovery, sparking questions about the government’s stance on luxury vehicles.
Gamage criticized the current administration, highlighting its earlier commitment to avoid the use of luxury cars—an assurance made during the Galle Face protests when the government showcased austerity by eschewing such vehicles. “Now, those promises seem forgotten as ministers enjoy comfortable rides,” Gamage remarked during a media briefing in Anuradhapura.
Adding to the controversy, Minister Samarasinghe avoided directly confirming the type of vehicle he uses during a televised program on Derana Channel. While pressed for details, he only disclosed that his jeep averages 7-8 kilometers per liter of fuel but refrained from naming the make or model.
The issue has reignited debates about the disconnect between government officials’ lifestyle choices and the public’s expectations for austerity during challenging economic times.
