Heavy taxes for public, duty free vehicles for MPs, senior officials?

30 April 2024 06:31 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 71 Bookmark

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Colmbo, April 30 (Daily Mirror) - Despite the public being heaped with tax burdens and a soaring cost of living, parliamentarians, along with public servants in the executive category, are set to get concessionary vehicle permits soon, the Daily Mirror learns.

As many as 102 MPs out of the total 225 in the House had placed their signatures by yesterday on a letter submitted to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asking for permits to import vehicles under duty-free conditions. Many more are planning to join the request in the days to come.

The MPs who served in the previous Parliaments received such permits. However, the MPs who were elected to the House at the 2020 General Election did not receive this benefit because of the economic crisis.

An informed source, on condition of anonymity, told the Daily Mirror that the MPs, particularly those elected for the first time, are concerned whether they will be deprived of this benefit in case Parliament is dissolved ahead of the time scheduled for 2025. The Presidential Election is due to be conducted in early October this year. Whoever wins, it is likely that Parliament will be dissolved soon after to get a fresh mandate to form a new government and a Cabinet.

The MPs’ request will be referred to the House Committee for approval. According to the source, concessionary vehicle permits will be issued to MPs in terms of a common criterion applicable to executive graders in the public service, such as doctors.

In the past, it was common to note the MPs selling off their vehicle permits to wealthy businessmen and earning multi-million rupees. Businessmen who secure permits are used to import luxury vehicles using duty-free benefits.

The government is now planning to scrap the ban on vehicle imports.

Comments - 71

Charles Jansz Tuesday, 30 April 2024 06:54 AM

Duty free vehicles...generous grants to the selected....bags of rice and empty promises...deal makers strategies for support from the ruling clan and the many with short memories!

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Many Are Still Convinced This Is The Best Govnt. Tuesday, 30 April 2024 10:31 AM

Absolutely. Those recently commenting positively on DM articles that this government has stabilised the situation has anything to say on this matter?? They have delayed debt payments for these kinds of personal enrichment exercises. And these are voters who encourage them to be corrupt by voting them back again and again. Governments should increase tax free electric public buses and trains for the masses instead of these concessions for politicians.

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Gobbaya Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:20 AM

The vehicle issue was to be decided by the party leaders

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Citizen Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:59 AM

STOP the duty free vehicles for MPs. A shuttle bus service or public transport should be their mode of transport. If you do not have your own transport you should resign from being a MP. This should be made a volunteer public service.

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Waco Tuesday, 30 April 2024 06:56 AM

Ranil is playing a game. Burden on the poor people. He and his catchers lead a luxurious life.

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Cricy Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:57 PM

And people are still falling for their gimmicks!

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Best Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:09 AM

This greedy politicians and officials are the curse of this bankruptcy

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KD Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:19 AM

225 needs go be reduced to 9. We dont need so many representatives for such a tiny island. Its inefficient and leaves door open for massive corruption and waste of public resources. If you agree with this, then talk about this with at least one other person and ask them to do the same.

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Spartacus Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:35 AM

Duty Free Permits should be banned for all. This is one reason for bankruptcy to this country. Duty Free should only be allowed for Ambulances, Fire Fighting Vehicles, Public Buses only. The crooks are trying to make there last buck before they are kicked out.

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Stop Pension Policy for New Hires in the Workforce Tuesday, 30 April 2024 12:37 PM

Totally agree. Also abolish pension payments for all NEW HIRES ONLY (don’t stop those receiving pensions now as they had not saved enough EPF). Countries who have abolished this pension policy are able to increase productivity as worker work harder to accumulate the EPF. And present day governments need not worry on these payments. Just need to give foods, healthcare, transportation discounts to the elderly.

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kumar Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:37 AM

Because this is "Sri Lanka". The public representatives have a main interest in taking care of themselves. The only thing that corrupt government officials and people in positions of decision-making care about is their own wealth. Politicians such as "Thevarapperuma" need to come to light. If not, nobody might protect Sri Lanka.

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Joshua Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:42 AM

Govt will remove the import ban so importers and people are happy abd then use that window to bring down duty free vehicles for the political morons and rogues. Do not vote for these morons who do not understand the plight of the people and only show their greediness

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Angry tax payer Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:46 AM

We must voice against this unfair to us

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Sambo Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:49 AM

This is why they are all fighting to come to parliament. It's a gold mine for them. Them come to get their perks and not consented about work or the common man.

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Citizen Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:53 AM

Doctors get the permit every 5 years instead of a mandatory monthly transport allowance. The value of the permit is well below the sum of 60 transport allowances. So, open your eyes, reporter. Analyse before your publish.

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BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:32 AM

Conveniently, you do not wish to state the Transport Allowance. Paying a Transport Allowance is better even if it is higher, because it is part of the calculated salary package of the Doctor. Duty Free is denying the Taxes to the Nation which even pays the Free Higher Education Facility through which this same Doctor Qualified and became a Doctor to avoid paying taxes.

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Nodaking kalakanni Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:53 AM

Our hard working politicians in the government, with their grand vision and foresight contributing towards the development of the country deserve these little perks for the invaluable service to our nation. May they live long and prosper.

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wsw Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:54 AM

Despicable Sri Lankan politicians, suffocating the people as much as possible, while making merry. Hope the impending elections, make a landmark change, once and for all.

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Bruce Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:56 AM

The people must oppose this move. Vote them.out. Lifting the ban on vehicle imports another vote buying tactic. Disgusting, if this is trie.

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Ravi Hulugalle Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:57 AM

Enjoy your privileges (Ranils bribes) now because there will be a very lean period for you self-serving , incompetent scumbags in the near future.

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wsw Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:57 AM

Since these politicians and very hard working public officials, keep insisting for their pound of flesh, why not offer duty free permits to import vehicles only from India?

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Kick these scum out Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:01 AM

If the politicians rewards are based on their contributions towards development of the country, they would all be riding push cycles.

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Chartered Engineer Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:02 AM

Duty free vehicle permits should give to exporters to motivate to earn more Forex to country. Not to corrupt politicians

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BnW Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:14 AM

NPP has stated that no poltician ro get what the citizens do not get. Not sure, this is applicable for vehicle concession permits. Anyway, why should anyone other than state hospital serving doctors (on the compassion ground for patients' sake) get concession permits? For others, it's okay to provide a loan scheme to purchase a vehicle of their choice but with no concessions. This nonsense got to stop.

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Mk Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:15 AM

Each MP HAVE MORE THAN TWO VEHICLES THESE VEHICLES ARE BELONG TO US. GOVERNMENT WHY NOT CHECK THESE KUPADI WORKS. Bath kana gonna our MPS.

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Christo255 Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:36 AM

It was turned down at party leaders meeting, so why are we harping about an old topic again

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Shera Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:41 AM

Nothing new. This has always been the way it goes.

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Borat Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:44 AM

Voters vote for the representatives who haven’t taken vehicle permit

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Asoka Goonawardena Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:52 AM

No one should get Duty Free Vehicles. These guys are wanting everything from poor tax payers money. Ask all Bar owners to buy their vehicles if they want

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Anura Nanayakkara Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:55 AM

LET'S GET AWAY FROM ALL 225 CORRUPT PARLIAMENTARIANS AND SELECT A NEW SET OF YOUNGER PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO WILL WORK HONESTLY FOR THE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE.

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sacre blieu Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:03 AM

If this is a fact and a sign of things to come, some(few) are still more equal than others(many). So much so, for equitable justice, equitable distribution of wealth, and equitable opportunities.....

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Bandara Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:12 AM

This Duty Free Vehicle Permit should be abolished for everyone from MP's to Executive public servants. Instead it is good to introduce a banking loan facility to purchase a vehicle with concessionary rate. Then the permit cannot be sell , no tax losses for govt and requirement can be fulfilled. Most of the vehicle permit holders sell their permit and earn profit.

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sam Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:13 AM

Serve yourselves not the public

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Gabriella Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:20 AM

And the paragons of virtue (JVP/NPP) stay silent on these rorts. Nothing is ever going to change in this maggot ridden carcass of a country.

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Oberver Tuesday, 30 April 2024 10:06 AM

We are eagerly waiting (JVP) response on this matter. Then I vote for them this time as per lifetime UNPer

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Lk Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:27 AM

Not only Mps but also many other government officials enjoy this concession.. That is we suffer now. A few enjoy life at the public expense. What a crazy system is this

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Buggers Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:51 AM

OK!!! Time to evade income TAXes

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Jehan Tuesday, 30 April 2024 10:02 AM

Who ever comes is a crook

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Udaya Chandratileka Tuesday, 30 April 2024 10:19 AM

No leader from the Ruling party or the Opposition talks about banning duty free concessions for at least another five years until this economic crisis is over. All these politicians are in the same boat. Poor ordinary people in Sri Lanka are taxed heavily for these politicians to enjoy life.

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Sarath Tuesday, 30 April 2024 10:30 AM

There is no decision to lift the current restriction on vehicle imports this year 2024. At some stage we hope that the economy will permit the restrictions to be fully lifted and normalcy restored. Until then let keep the gossip and wild stories used for political mileage at bay.

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Gamini Tuesday, 30 April 2024 10:48 AM

which other country living on grants and IMF/ADB assistance gives duty free cars to its doctors and MP's These doctors who have earned their degrees through tax payers money do not even pay tax and the MP's do not even have a tax file

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Raj Tuesday, 30 April 2024 10:59 AM

No one should get a concession. Anything paid to an elected or unelected official should be part of a remuneration package and taxed. This is a mega bribery in day light! Do not vote for anyone who does not declare his/her assets and liabilities.

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Dr Saman Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:14 AM

This is absurd when the country is still in this mess. If awarded people will see this as another reason why country needs a CHANGE.

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fazilR Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:28 AM

All those (including IMF

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Citizen Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:35 AM

How long are people going to see these looting from politicians, they live in public tax money and they ride in public tax money, but they don't pay tax. The poor people also have to pay tax for their luxury life and beg for service from them. What kind of democracy system is this?

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sam Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:35 AM

Duty free permits should be abolished. All citizens must be treated equally.

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Mohamed Tuesday, 30 April 2024 12:46 PM

This is the sum up. Story of our lives in SL. Keep the ball rolling, same old story. Its time for a real change.

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FINAL AND ONLY CHANCE TO BRING ABOUT A CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE, IF WE DO NOT GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME AROUND, WE ARE ALL BACK TO SUQARE ONE WITH MORE SUFFERING AND Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:00 PM

NOW IT IS NOT THE CROW AND FOX RACE, BUT A FOX TURNED INTO A CAT AND TRYING TO DUPE THE MICE TO COME EAT THE CHEESE THAT IS SO OFTEN PUT IN FROM OF THEM. i HOPE THE CROW AND HIS FLOCK COME OUT OF NO WHERE AND PICK UP ALL THE CHEESE AND HEAP IT ALL UP, READY TO PUT IT ALL ON THE GALLE FACE GREEN ONCE ELECTIONS RESULTS AND SAY TO THE PEOPLE "WE WILL MAKE A LIST OF HAND OUT TO THE POOR UNDER PREVILEDGED, ELDERLY AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP IN LIFE AND THE COUNTRY ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY". ALL CORRUPT POLITIONS AND THEIR STOOGES WILL BE PUT BEFORE A COURT OF LAW AND JUSTICE SERVED. ALL THEIR WEALTH INCLUDING STORED OVERSEAS WILL BE CONFISCATED AND PART DISTRIBUTED TO THE POOR AND REST PUT INTO THE ECONOMY". THIS EDUCATED PRESIDENT'S BRAIN IS NOT WARPED AND OUT COMES MORE PERKS FOR THE SUCM WHO WE THE PEOPLE HAVE VOTED IN AND PARTLY TO BLAME. HOPE THIS TIME THE PEOPLE WILL CREATE HISTORY BY HOUNDING THE LOT OUT AND REELECTING A NEW GOVERNMENT INCLUDED THE MINORITY OF HONEST POL

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Nalin Gooneratne Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:28 PM

Introduce the original conditions. They are 1. Limit the c.i.f. value 2. Prohibit sale of vehicle for five years 3. Prohibit use of government vehicles for five years.

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Ranil our blood is boiling and cursing you Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:40 PM

Hay Ranil, are you crazy trying to offer duty free vehicle permits to MPs

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Doctor Tuesday, 30 April 2024 02:39 PM

Not crazy nut loose and corroded. Cant do anything warranty over. No spare

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Q-wath Q-wamai Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:42 PM

If any duty-free vehicle is given, we will have a secret eye and monitor who is getting it. Thereafter, that luxury vehicle or the permit will be burnt along with that man concerned.

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Bannis Mama Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:44 PM

Oh My God..... its a curse for SriLanka Matha as we have ruthless rulers lootered our country and still looting with another colour. Ranil, this is your last term remember.

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Last Chance Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:45 PM

Giving Duty Free permits to opposition is a Political Gundoo.... we are not fools to watch, we know what to do with all these guys goes for Luxury Duty Free Cars.

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Bandu Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:47 PM

Good expose. Keep public informed. Name the politicians pushing this bill. Lets send the crooks home.

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C Fernando Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:59 PM

Pohottuwa MPs know they may be out very soon so they are trying to get the maximum before they get kicked out.

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Jayasiri Tuesday, 30 April 2024 02:39 PM

This is not acceptable. Why should they be allowed?

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Milhan Batcha Tuesday, 30 April 2024 02:51 PM

JVP is Silent, if they are genuine can raise their voice to abolish this

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Ponnapala Balusinha Tuesday, 30 April 2024 05:39 PM

Foolish IMF give funds to these Pin Gonas while people are suffering! Unelected man wants console all and come to power again with a dream bed with Satan JRJ!!

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cineha Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:43 PM

Former minister Mahindananda has submitted to court that he sold his vehicle permit for 26 million. Now what is the moral in these politicians seeking a vehicle permit at this stage? Just view the news clips to see the kind of vehicles parading in to the President's office during ruling party MP's meetings.

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Blaise Nalin Wijeyeratne Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:49 PM

Why should Duty Free Vehicle Permits be issued to the very politicians which Bankrupted the country and heaped burdens on the people . Should be stopped till we start paying the $ loans

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request Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:13 PM

If MPs get the vehicles without paying their taxes, please publish their details with full size picture. so then public can remember them and will not vote again.

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tax payer who cannot balance the salary Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:19 PM

I will not pay taxes if duty free vehicles given to MPs

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Sumal Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:41 PM

Hell. You steal private sector employees hard earned salary and giving to ineffective system (politicians) and inefficient people (public servants) for your political reason. This is a crime against humanity. You know how these public servants trouble private employees when they visit govt offices. It is like spit on the same hand which is feeding them.

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Buddhist Wednesday, 01 May 2024 01:01 AM

It's time IMF walked away from Sri Lanka. Ranil-Rajapakse government is full of crooks.

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Ravana Wednesday, 01 May 2024 01:26 AM

IMF, are you with them on this?

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R Navaratnam Wednesday, 01 May 2024 06:06 AM

Good work by Daily Mirror to bring this out. Government is run by tax payers money, therefore Government must consult taxpayers for any such decisions.

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Sambo Wednesday, 01 May 2024 09:38 AM

That's why the public wants this government kicked out lock,stock and barrel.

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Sinna Thursday, 02 May 2024 06:37 AM

I vote SJB, but not this time,that’s bcz it’s refusal to remove unnecessary perks from parliamentarians.all of them, proved their unworthiness by bankrupt the country,so it’s unacceptable dole for them during this difficult time,this time my vote to NPP,

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dana Thursday, 02 May 2024 06:48 AM

IMF we paying taxes with utmost difficulty but paying,believing you that uses only for to come out from debt not to waste to pump up politicians image, stop this sooner,otherwise people go against you soon

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Lal Thursday, 02 May 2024 06:57 AM

I am voting a party ,who is promising to repeal perks from those dumb idiots, who are in parliament and responsible down fall of our country

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