The Finance Ministry is taking measures to import SUVs in a cost effective manner for new Parliamentarians, the Aruna newspaper reported.
Minister of Finance and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed Treasury officials to obtain the vehicles in order for the Parliamentarians to carry out duties in their allocated Districts.
New Parliamentarians have been given an opportunity to acquire SUVs under a lease agreement as per this system.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has temporarily suspended the issuing of permits for the tax free importation of vehicles. The Finance Ministry pointed out that a ban has been imposed on vehicle importation to stabilise the economy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, a certain number of vehicles for the Agriculture, Irrigation, Lands, and Wildlife and Conservation sectors have been permitted to be imported despite the ban. Fifty ambulances, 50 water bowsers, and 50 double cabs are also to be imported with SUVs for parliamentarians. (NewsWire)