Govt. recalls additional vehicles from MR, RW

The government has decided to recall additional vehicles assigned to former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, according to a statement from the Government Information Department.

The Department said the Presidents Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986 stipulates that former Presidents should be given perks similar to those of a Cabint Minister.

It said a Cabinet Minister or a State Minister is entitled to three vehicles according to a circular issued by then Secretary to the President Lalith Weetatunga in May, 2010. Therefore, the Department said all the extra vehicles assigned to the two former Presidents in excess of the number lawfully entitled had been recalled.

According to the Department, Rajapaksa has already returned eight out of the 16 vehicles used by him, whereas there are 11 vehicles currently with Wickremesinghe.