Sri Lanka’s political theatre rolled out another comedy act when National People’s Power MP Najith Indika declared that all MPs, government and opposition alike, will be given vehicles during their five-year term, but insisted this is not a privilege. His reasoning? Ordinary people also have vehicles, and MPs, apparently, are just following the crowd.
Speaking on national television, Najith claimed that since even regular citizens purchase vehicles, providing official cars for MPs cannot be considered special treatment. He added that these vehicles will be returned to the government after their term in office, as if this noble gesture cancels out the glaring perks of public-funded luxury.
The MP doubled down on his mantra that he “will not use any privilege the people do not have,” ignoring the fact that ordinary citizens often struggle with loans, taxes, and fuel prices to buy their cars, without chauffeurs, security convoys, or government-paid maintenance. While Najith insists this is “fair,” critics argue it exposes the widening gap between political spin and lived reality.
