Taxes on new Presidential security vehicles to cost taxpayer Rs 100mn

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A supplementary estimate of Rs 21,410mn was tabled in Parliament today (October 08) for a number of expenses including the payment of tax for two luxury security vehicles imported for the President. Approval was sought for Rs 100mn to pay taxes for the vehicles and another Rs 93mn was sought for the establishment of Green Committee at Divisional Secretariat Level across the country. In addition, Rs 150mn, Rs 124mn, Rs 200mn and Rs 270mn were allocated for Golden Key depositors, 107 train passenger compartments, 300 centres for the Suva Seriya Ambulance Service and a signal mechanism along the coastal railway line respectively. JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake shared his thoughts on this supplementary estimate and directed his questions towards the Chief Government Whip under standing orders. He questioned why the supplementary estimate is required under standing orders? MP noted that the allocation of Rs 130mn to establish Green Clubs across the 25 districts with an election at hand clearly indicates a political motive. He added that he does not question the necessary security to safeguard the president of the country, however, at the same time he questioned what kind of a security vehicle would come up with a tax that exceeds Rs 50mn? He demanded that the Chief Government Whip explain these supplementary budget allocations. Speaker: There will be a debate on the 23rd and 24th or make an explanation. Minister Gayantha Karunathilake, Chief Government Whip noted that Minister and State Minister of Finance will explain this to the chambers later.