MPs, Ministers refuse luxury vehicles due to low fuel efficiency: Speaker

• There is a large fleet of unused luxury vehicles 
• It is a national level decision to auction these luxury vehicles

By Ajith Siriwardana  

Claiming that there is a large fleet of unused luxury vehicles, Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala said yesterday most MPs and Ministers refuse to use luxury vehicles due to their low fuel efficiency.

He told reporters during a function at Nāgānanda International Institute for Buddhist Studies that luxury vehicles with poor fuel efficiency are unsuitable for Sri Lanka.

Responding to a question, the Speaker said no MP has requested for luxury vehicles through Parliament so far.  

“There is a large fleet of luxury vehicles in parks without being used because they are not fuel efficient and not suitable for this country. Most MPs and Ministers refuse to use those vehicles. There are so many vehicles assigned for the Speaker also. We do not use any of those as yet because of their high fuel consumption,” he said.  

The Speaker said all government and opposition MPs and Ministers have to make a sacrifice according to the people’s aspirations.  

When asked whether those vehicles could be sold out, he said it is a national level decision to auction those luxury vehicles.  

Speaker Ranwala said the Ministers have not requested for official residences adding that residences owned by the government will be used for public matters and not for Minister’s personal use.  

“It is the duty of the government to maintain the residences owned by the government,” he said.