Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has confirmed that the government will provide vehicles to all Members of Parliament (MPs), including opposition MPs, to assist them in carrying out their official responsibilities. He also clarified that the tax concession permits for vehicle imports, which were a controversial practice in the past, will no longer be provided, aligning with the government’s policy changes.
Speaking during a program on Derana Channel, Herath explained that the decision to abolish the vehicle permit system for MPs was part of the government’s commitment to the people during the elections. However, he emphasized that the need for MPs and ministers to have vehicles for official purposes remains critical to their duties. He dismissed claims that his party opposed the provision of vehicles to MPs, stating, “We never said MPs wouldn’t receive vehicles. What we opposed was the misuse of the permit system, which allowed MPs to profit by selling vehicles. That practice has been stopped permanently.”
Herath further elaborated on the new approach being adopted. Under the revised system, vehicles provided to MPs will be managed in a way that ensures accountability and transparency. At the end of five years, MPs will either return the vehicles to the government or pay an assessed value based on depreciation to take possession of the vehicles. This change, according to Herath, is designed to prevent the misuse of public resources while still enabling MPs to fulfill their roles effectively.
The Foreign Minister stressed that all MPs, regardless of party affiliation, will be treated equally under this system. He added that the government remains committed to balancing fiscal responsibility with the practical needs of Parliament members. By reforming the way vehicles are provided and managed, the government aims to foster a culture of fairness and efficiency in public service.
Herath acknowledged the perception among the public about excessive privileges for politicians and reiterated that the government is making conscious efforts to address these concerns. He assured that the new policies are a step towards building trust and ensuring that resources allocated to MPs are used solely for the benefit of their official duties.
