(PM Wickremasinghe: Oh cars! OH we never wanted them!! )
The government yesterday presented a supplementary estimate seeking parliamentary approval for purchasing 32 brand new cars at a cost of Rs. 1,175 million for the use of 30 ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers.
The supplementary estimate was presented to Parliament by Chief Government Whip and Parliamentary Affairs and Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilake on behalf of the Minister of Finance.
The highest amount of 70 million was sought to purchase a vehicle for Regional Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. Approval for Rs. 70 million has been sought to purchase two cars for Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.
In addition approval has been sought for Rs 98,000,000 to purchase two cars for Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abyewardena and a car for Deputy Minister Nimal Lanza, a sum of Rs 91,000,000 to buy two cars for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando and his Deputy Tharanath Basnayake, Rs 35,000,000 to buy a car for Town Planning and Water Supply Minister Rauff Hakeem, Rs. 35,000,000 to buy a car for Minister of Special Projects Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Rs. 35,000,000 to buy a car for Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Wijith Vijaumuni Zoysa, Rs. 35,000,000 to purchase a car for Power and Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, and Rs. 35,000,000 to purchase a car for Upcountry New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development Minister P. Digambaram.
In addition, approval has been sought for Rs 56,000,000 each to purchase cars for Megapolis and Western Province Development Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Tourism and Christian Affairs Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando, a sum of Rs. 28,000,000 to purchase a car for Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, Rs. 27,500,000 to purchase a car for Public Administration and Management Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame, Rs 28,000,000 to buy a car for Housing and Construction Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranayake.
By Saman Indrajith.
The Island