The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I need a clarification.

¶ 02 Hon. Prime Minister, my question (a)(i) asked the number of official vehicles in the Presidential Secretariat vehicle pool during the tenure of the Eighth Executive President. What is that number?

¶ 03 [After reply]

¶ 04 Regarding (a)(iv), “the number of vehicles returned to the Presidential Secretariat after the 2024 Presidential Election” — is it not 8 vehicles?

¶ 05 Thank you for the answer, Hon. Prime Minister. My first supplementary is this:

¶ 06 The Presidential Secretariat has a pool of 800 vehicles for use by the President and officials. You stated that except for 8, all are in use. But a Minister on your right showcased those vehicles in front of the Presidential Secretariat and said they would be auctioned and removed from use. Now you say they are being used. The Government initially said those vehicles would not be used and limits would be imposed. Yet you say only 8 have not been returned and all others are being used now. I asked whether they are in use; you said yes.

¶ 07 Publicly it was claimed the new Government, including the President, reduced vehicle use and fuel consumption. But your answers suggest otherwise. Why is this, Hon. Prime Minister? As someone accountable and a leader promising a new political culture, how do you rectify such misleading statements?

¶ 08 My second supplementary:

¶ 09 A moment ago you said 800 vehicles; then you said 200 are not in use. Which is correct? Please clarify, because contradictions cause worry. People have expectations about you; please be accurate.