Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court orders former Minister A.H.M. Fowzie to pay Rs. 6.6 million over the misuse of an official government vehicle.
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered former Disaster Management Minister A.H.M. Fowzie to pay Rs. 6.6 million to the Consolidated Fund after ruling in a case involving the personal use of an official luxury vehicle.
The Court found that the former minister had violated fundamental rights through the misuse of the state-owned vehicle, according to reports of the judgment released Monday.
The order requires Fowzie to repay Rs. 6.6 million to the state, making the ruling significant not only for the individual case but also for the broader question of accountability in the use of publicly funded vehicles and other government resources.
Official vehicles assigned to ministries and public institutions are funded by taxpayers and are intended to be used for authorised state functions. Allegations of their use for private purposes have periodically generated controversy in Sri Lanka, particularly because of the costs associated with fuel, maintenance, drivers and depreciation.
The Supreme Court’s decision places renewed attention on the responsibilities of ministers and senior public officials when using assets belonging to the state.
The ruling comes amid a wider public debate over expenditure associated with serving and former political office-holders and government attempts to reduce unnecessary public-sector spending.
Further details from the full judgment, including the Court’s reasoning and any additional directions arising from the case, are expected to provide greater clarity on its potential implications for similar cases involving state property.
