Duty Free Vehicles To Politicos And The Billions Rupee Scam
Nagananda Kodituwakku
Dishonest politicians should be held accountable for unjust enrichment of taxpayers’ money in billions
The Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry Secretary R A A K Ranawaka in a press release to the media states that the Government has cleared vehicle permits to the value of USD 3.2 million to be given to newly elected Western and Southern Provincial Council members and the newly elected members of both Councils will receive vehicle permits to the value of USD 50,000 each. He further states that some provincial council members have already sold their permits but it is not illegal.
It seems that those holding high public offices have disregarded the constitutional oath given below (fourth schedule to the Constitution), which require every person elected to any public office to take, before resuming the performance of the duties of any public office.
“I ……………………………………………………. do solemnly declare and affirm / swear that I will faithfully perform the duties and discharge the functions of the office of …………………………………. in accordance with the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the law, and that I will be faithful to the Republic of Sri Lanka and that I will to the best of my ability uphold and defend the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.”
Exemption of levies on duty free cars
The Customs Ordinance as amended in 1988, provides (Section 19A) that the Minister of Finance may, if he deems it expedient in the public interest so to do, by Order published in the Gazette exempt any goods imported by, or consigned to, any person specified in the Order from the whole or any part of the duties of customs leviable thereon, subject to such conditions (to be fulfilled before or after clearance) as may be specified in the Order.
