Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake has urged President Maithripala Sirisena to take cue from his Philippines counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte and instead of doling out super luxury vehicles at the expense of public money for ministers and deputy ministers, to instead provide them with cheaper vehicles, such as Toyotas.
Ranjan Ramanayake
While agreeing that ministers and deputy ministers require vehicles to carry out their duties, Ramanayake questioned whether it was fair to purchase high end luxury vehicles from public money, especially when the government is trying to revive the country and pay off debts taken during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration, and while the public too was slapped with various taxes.
“I agree, ministers and deputy ministers require vehicles to carry out their duties, however some ministers have gone to purchase high end luxury SUVs, much to the disappointment of the public. I think we must not utilize the public money to purchase luxury vehicles, especially at a juncture when we are trying to pay off the debt taken by Rajapaksa,” Ramanayake said in his letter addressed to Sirisena on June 20, 2016.
Therefore, taking into consideration the current situation in the country and the financial issues Sri Lanka is facing, Ramanayake advised Sirisena to follow the style adopted by the Philippines President where instead of purchasing luxury vehicles for the use of ministers and deputy ministers, steps be taken to provide them with a mid-range vehicles. “The government will not even incur a huge burden to maintain these vehicles,” he said.
Ramanayake added that if the President seriously considers this, it will cost the government only a fraction of the funds that has been set aside already for this purpose, while the balance money can be used for a better purpose.
In early June, the government sought parliamentary approval to purchase 32 brand new luxury vehicles for the use of several ministers and deputy ministers at a cost of Rs. 1.1 billion.
Mid this month, Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will replace all the luxury sedans with Toyota Avanzas for his cabinet members, as part of his austere style of governance. (By Munza Mushtaq © Colombo Telegraph)
Dayan / June 23, 2016
Hon.Mr.Ramanayaka
Really you are quite correct about new vehicles to ministers and deputy ministers.They all come to do a service for Srilankans, not to request new luxury cars for them for that service.
You are the only person who always against these unwanted expenses. I really appreciate your idea.Really we need more members like you in parliament.
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Coconut Republic / June 24, 2016
All our demanding useless MP’S require trishaws. Try those ones that Richard Peiris is trying to market. It can easily be manoeuvred to any corners.
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susantha / June 24, 2016
You are only man in parliament whos is extremely hones and straight forward,we the internationAL COMMUNITY OF OVER 3 MILLION WHO SUPPORTS YOU
DONT BE AFRAID WE CANPUT PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT IN CASE THEY DO NOT LISTEN TO YOU
gO rANJAN YOU ARE GREAT WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOUR DEEDS
WE ARE ARE WATCHING WHAT HAPPENS ,WE WONT ALLOW THE PARAYA OPPOSITION
TRYING TO HARASS YOU WE WILL TAKE CARE WHEN THEY TRAVEL OVERSEAS DONT WORRY rANJAN YOU ARE A MAN OF PRINCIPLDES
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Sam Fernando / June 24, 2016
He is model to the nation if they to be directed to good civilized society. All others refrained from declaring own assets at the time took to the office, but this gentleman showed to public how he really lives… these are not even done by highly democratic men from English parliament.
Ranjan you are a true example for building a better society. We need more of you to go this journey to the success.
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