A recent report that the government is considering importing double-cab vehicles for Members of Parliament has sparked debate in Parliament.
National Democratic Front MP Ravi Karunanayake criticized the plan, calling it contradictory to the government’s stance on reducing MPs’ privileges. He questioned the rationale behind spending Rs. 65 billion on vehicles for MPs while simultaneously proposing to abolish pensions for future MPs and charging fees for meals at the Parliament canteen.
“It has been reported that double cabs are to be imported for MPs. This is the same government that criticized MPs’ privileges at public expense. While it has clarified that pensions for current MPs will continue, how can the plan to import double cabs be justified under these circumstances?” Karunanayake asked.
In response, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti clarified that the vehicles are primarily intended for government officials, not MPs. “Priority will be given to government officials, starting with Divisional Secretaries. Many currently use vehicles over 15 years old, and in some cases, the maintenance cost exceeds that of purchasing new vehicles,” the Minister explained.
The government has not allocated vehicles for MPs and has also suspended duty-free vehicle permits for them. However, the Daily Mirror reported that the proposal includes importing double-cab vehicles for both MPs and government institutions, though no timeline has been set.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, in charge of Parliamentary Affairs, said: “This is the idea we have at the moment. However, we have not decided when it will be done. We do not know whether it will be done this year or next year.”
