The Hon. D.V. Chanaka

¶ 01 The Chief Government Organizer informed me my time would be extended by two minutes; please grant that.

¶ 02 Previously, for 58 Ministers/State Ministers there were 426 vehicles. Under yesterday’s circular, a Cabinet Minister and staff are allocated 10 vehicles; a Deputy/State Minister, including the one provided by Parliament, gets eight. Excluding the President and PM, there are 19 Cabinet Ministers and 28 State Ministers—total vehicles 414. Previously 58 holders had 426 vehicles; now 49 have 414. Other perks have also increased. The number of phones paid for has been increased from three to 15. Overtime (OT) paid earlier up to 150 hours is increased to 180 hours.

¶ 03 Earlier, fuel for a vehicle doing 4 km per litre was capped at 500 litres. Now a State Minister can obtain 900 litres per vehicle; one can use a cab and still draw fuel for two V8s. The circular says three vehicles for State Ministers. If not leading and trailing vehicles, why three? I table both circulars signed by the Presidential Secretary. A Government that promised to cut perks has doubled them.