28 March, 2024

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Duty Free Vehicle Permit Abuse: MPs Instantly Make Over Rs. 25 Million For Selling Permits, SC Heard

Chief Justice K. Sripavan

Chief Justice K. Sripavan

Chief Justice K. Sripavan who took up the alleged car permit abuse issue yesterday, permitted rights activist Nagananda Kodituwakku to make a written submission over the alleged car permit abuse by MPs.

When the case was taken up the Attorney General submitted to Court that the permit abuse case is only an assumption and without any proof and hence there is no necessity for consideration of the matter before a fuller bench.

However, the rights activist submitted to Court that already more than 10 vehicles have been cleared on tax free permits issued to MPs, who instantly makes over 25 million rupees for each permit sold.

Therefore as the matter involves abuse of people’s sovereign rights by the MPs and Ministers this case should be heard before a Full Bench of the Supreme Court and request was made to the Court to allow him to make submissions as to why the matter should be heard before the full bench of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice however was not in favour of permitting submissions on the matter and wanted the Attorney General to confirm whether the Gazette issued by Finance Minister has been approved by the Parliament.

The activist then informed the Court that the judiciary was there to exercise people’s judicial power and urged the Court to permit him to tender at least written submissions, which the court allowed at the end re-fixing the matter for support on 12th August 2016.

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Latest comments

  • 4
    2

    My computations came to Yahapalana LKR 35 Million each.

    Wonder where the discrepancy come from..!!! I didn’t do Yahapalana accounting like Galleon..

  • 10
    0

    As the CJ appears to be not in favour of hearing submissions by the rights activist Lawyer Mr. Nagananda and has required the AG to confirm if the Gazette notification by the FInance Minister has been approved by parliament it would be helpful if somebody is able to throw more light on the said Gazette notification and what it is about and why would Mr Nagananda as a responsible person make false allegations if he had no credible evidence for making his submissions before a full bench of the SC?

  • 12
    0

    When Siripavan took charge in the beginning of 2015, the courts were beset by a severe crisis of credibility, with several judges accused of wrongdoing or nurturing unhealthy associations. It seemed that another of the country’s vital institutions was on the decline. To Siripavan’s credit and Kodituwakku’s efforts, he may leave with reputation of the judiciary restored. Everyone talked about Kodituwakku’s unflinching honesty, with few hardly doing anything. Sirasa discussed this in their program Pathikada, I’m happy if I’ll be able to remember for his honesty and integrity. Riding into courthouse, pro bono attorney at the near end of a corrupt CJ, this fighter proclaims his desire to bring the “rule of law” to the wild, corrupt politicians as a lone ranger…….. So far so good, and this is intriguing.

  • 21
    0

    Way to go, Nagananda!

    The permit farce has to stop! MS promised that his cabinet would not exceed a certain number, but went on to prove himself to be a liar and install all manner of riffraff in his bloated government.

    These bozos (at least most of them are!) are spoiled with 5 star hotel food at a pittance, free massages, expensive cars and many other perks on taxpayers’ monies that could be used far better for the benefit of the country and the people.

    Time to re-assess – for those in power, and for us the voters who replaced one despicable regime with another that shows no signs of keeping their promises!

    Ban the permits and tax the MPs. Why should they be exempt from paying taxes on their (legitimate) earnings, never mind their commissions and other sources of undeclared income!

  • 15
    1

    It is a Legalized scam.

    They legalize theft and everybody do it.

    that is why so much demand to be a politician.

    • 8
      0

      It is a legalised scam invented by some rotten regime in the not too distant past and extended to politicians and other senior officials and professionals who as a class have the ears of politicians.

      Why should these rascals be given duty free vehicles at all? Why cannot they pay for what they want with their money with all others do? It is not as though these professionals do not make enough money from their patients /clients whether por or not.

      The whole scheme should be scrapped. And the foreign exchanged used to improve public transport.

    • 4
      0

      Yes sir, You are correct. What can one do when law makers having parliamentary privileges are corrupt on their own. As the well known sinhala saying goes, when Fence & ridge of the paddy field eat the paddy plants what can you do!. They have funneled 1.8 billion rupees by a supplementary estimate to get these high powered limousines while govt says it has to raise vat to pay debts!. Both the Prez & PM are terrible liars & Sinners of the first order and it such people who deny disabled soldiers who defended SL and save all of us, their hard earned & much deserving pension saying govt has no provision!.

  • 7
    0

    By the time decision come they all got down ….so will it order to pay benefit back???

  • 11
    0

    good on you nagananda.See that the buggers go to jail.The law has been broken and they are not above the law.Jayalalitha also was in jail for a short time.The problem with srilanka is we are not putting these buggers into jail,unlike india which has a politicians in jail and corruption is less than in srilanka.

  • 7
    0

    My blessings Nagi.

  • 5
    0

    With the recent import of a luxury vehicle by Ultra pure Gammanpila pocketing millions, we thought it only fitting to take a look at all politicians from what they utter. We found these abusing, insulting the voter and talk against the corruption is a joke.
    Defining political corruption from the car permit is bold enough to use of power for personal gain, this list includes our ‘leaders’ in white clads, blessed twines and a pistol on the waist, Indeed, corruption is not just Ranil or Sirisena;s—problem. It is the most pressing threat that our democracy faces. And the problem, as I see it, is that those in power refuse to admit it. Judiciary’s inquiry into corruption should continue and it’s time the Supreme Court, by adopting a historical and proper view of corruption, should put a stop this very real threat

  • 0
    0

    If you are the Lone Ranger Naga,rest assured Plato is TONTO!

  • 2
    0

    May the Judiciary be Fair in its Judgement and may Justice prevail.

  • 5
    0

    IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD HOLD THESE ROGUES ACCOUNTABLE AT NEXT ELECTION.

  • 6
    0

    People pay taxes everytime theygo to the market, buy a kilo of sugar, dhal or pump petrol. These politicians are robbing peoples money.

    Teach them a good lesson at the next election

  • 5
    0

    Mr Nagananda Kodituwakku

    Don’t give up the fight.

    I was an accidental witness at a friend’s car sale on a day in March 2016 when 2 politicians were paid Rs 20m each in cash for their car permit. Even previously, I have witnessed govt. officials selling their duty concessionary permits but the price was Rs 1m due to the lesser value of the permit. The documents included blank signed paper for the transfer of the vehicle once cleared from the customs. This blatant racket has been going on since it’s inception decades ago but now its apparently legal & it’s time this unfair practice was stopped. I am sure it won’t be a big problem to trace the whereabouts of at least the vehicles recently imported by politicians & the date of transfer from the RMV to open the can of worms. Proving the sale of the permits maybe difficult but at least these yobs can be named & shamed by publishing the details of their vehicles, transfer dates, as well as, the stake holders who have gained from the transactions.

    If the transaction is legal according to the current regulations, perhaps the Politicians who no longer have the vehicle in their possession can explain to the public why a vehicle imported without paying any import duty for Official use has been sold so soon or used by someone else if the sale is not registered with the RMV.

  • 3
    0

    Duty Free car permits for politicians……….

    Back door entry into the Parliament and Ministerial Posts for LOOSERS.

    Bittara Appa @ Rs. 10

    Mini Cabinet.

    Mind boggling promises and unable to keep track.

    Then that Bond mala illauwa?????? Under the carrrrrrrr pet??
    Tilvin sahodaraya is stuck with Mr. Chandra.J’s advice & letter?

    Thank You Mr. Nagananda Kodituwakku the lone Warrior.
    Where are those Upul jayasuriyas who shouted untill hoarse about dooshana & beeshana?

  • 1
    0

    What is the position of the JO members on this issue? Why are they silent ? Why shouldn’t members like Weerawansa, Gammanpila, Alahapperuma, Namal stage a protest march ? Come on Sirs, speak for the masses.

    • 0
      0

      “What is the position of the JO members on this issue? Why are they silent ?”
      Because they are living inside that can of ‘WORMS’.

  • 2
    0

    now you know why so many undeserving people are seeking parliamentary positions. this is a business and they have invested billions..they are only reaping the profits and why you are trying to block..let them enjoy.. they also have their expenses.luxury life is always expensive. can they go to a saiva kade?
    -dayal

    • 0
      0

      Yes “go to saivar kade”. If fake lawyer Namal could do it (to show off of course, how close he was to common folks) after his old bull lost the election, then he and all other fake representatives of the people could repeat the same in real life. That is demonstrating their commitment by example that they do represent the people. That is a challenge for them, the fat bellied, over nourished, snout in the trough pigs.

      The problem is that we have fake hero called RW, who would do anything for his Royal College mates; he thinks that all of them have fallen from the sky, the vermin!

  • 1
    0

    A general observation, in Sri Lanka many talk about corruption and undue influence but we find that even members of the public who are “alarmed” about a declining ethical values, who send their children for better education show relatively low levels of public-sphere action, such as volunteering or protesting. The bottom of why that is, they find it easy to get things done the wrong way. Giving various excuses these white clad patriots send their children to Western education.
    You could name many including the ‘patriotic’ Gammanpila…there are very few real patriots by action.

  • 1
    0

    Well done Mr Nagananda we fully support you. Let’s all remember the power is with the people and in four years at the next election we need to further clean up the parliament. These rogues were brought in by us only to replace the past ones. So we must replace them too.
    Why should the politicians have the best cars free of duty when we have to buy the cheapest at the highest duty??

  • 0
    0

    Yes the PM and the Prez who allow this must be held accountable and sent home. It seems the PM is just making a mockery of the people.

  • 0
    0

    “hear no evil, see no evil speak no evil” seems to be the attitude of the Supreme Court, while, the nation is riddled in corruption.

    It is high time the “law lords” come down to earth from the ‘legal realms’ called “Justice for the Common Man” – and not from the one which may be called “Justice for politicians” – though this lot appointed them.

    Maybe they shiver when they recall how a Chief Justice was dealt with by a group labeled “Select Group of MPs”.

    They too may be recalling how a “military court” was said to be “like any other court” when the former sentenced a top general of the army to imprisonment.

    Will they dare to follow in the footsteps of a ‘fearless judge’ who sentenced a ‘top terrorist’ to 200 years in jail?

    Do they now shiver to sentence ‘economic terrorists’ likewise?

  • 0
    0

    If any of the of the Parliamentarians need to sell their vehicles immediately after obtaining a permit it is an immoral and corrupt act. If they want to sell the permit, it means that they do not require such a vehicle for their use and hence the need to apply should not arise. Originally there had been a stricture by way of a restriction to transfer the vehicle for five years. During MR era it was made easier for them to abuse the privilege by removing the said restriction. People who posses black money and rich businessman make use of these permits to import luxury vehicles depriving due import duty to the State.
    If beggars want get into politics with a view of possessing luxury vehicles and enjoying other perks causing undue burden on public, it is better such people keep away from politics,
    During the past several years MPs/Ministers sighted preferential voting system as the cause for raising money to contest elections at a huge cost by selling vehicle permits. Now when there is draft legislation prepared to do away with preferential system MPs have no interest to get it expedited.
    If Court rules, that sale of permits or handing over of vehicles for other third party use for exchange of money is a grave misconduct and a corrupt activity and a punishable offence, it will be a major victory not only for Mr. Nagananda Kodituwakku but for all civic minded people of the country. Ranjith

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