Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M.Marikkar has responded to a viral video on social media of a conversation with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the issuance of vehicle permits for Parliamentarians. 

Responding to queries on the video, MP Marikkar told the media that the conversation had taken place during a funeral and in the presence of the public, but had been recorded by the President.

“A few months ago, I met the President at a funeral in Piliyandala. The President himself invited me for a chat. At the time, the President inquired about my opinion on giving vehicle permits to Parliamentarians. I said as the Finance Minister, he has the power to sign the proposal and to go ahead and do what he wants,” he said, divulging details of the conversation.

MP Marikkar further said that the President had released the audio of the conversation a few days ago, which is several months after the incident. 

Stating that at the time, the President had informed him that the conversation was recorded, MP Marikkar said he had no worries as the conversation had taken place openly in public.

MP Marrikkar pointed out that he had previously refused the President’s offer for a ministerial portfolio under the government formed with the support of the Rajapaksas, and that he has no intention of joining that group. (Newswire) 

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A tense situation was reported near the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today when a group of Police officials confronted individuals protesting against the government’s alleged move to provide vehicle permits for Parliamentarians.

Video footage shows the Police officials forcibly removing a banner held by the protesters and attempting to escort them to the Colpetty Police Station, while a senior Police official was also seen engaging in a verbal argument with one protester.

A tense situation was reported when the protesting individuals refused to visit the Police Station and questioned the grounds under which the Police officials were taking action against them.

The protestors have, however, managed to hand over a letter to the President’s Additional Secretary, Kapila Munasinghe, expressing their discontent over the government’s decision. 

The protest was staged by members of the  “Citizen Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste” organization against the government’s decision to restore vehicle vehicle permits to MPs. 

The government is yet to comment on whether or not such a decision has been taken on providing vehicle permits to MPs, despite various media reports.

Recent media reports claimed that the Parliamentary Committee which looks into the requirements of MPs, approved a request by them for vehicle permits in line with the similar facilities offered to executive graders in different categories of the public service.

The MPs, numbering more than 100 and representing different parties, have reportedly submitted a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asking for permission to import vehicles with no duty for their use. 

The move comes as the MPs elected to the current Parliament at the 2020 general election did not get the customary benefit due to the economic crisis and the ban on vehicle imports. (Newswire)

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Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara has clarified that no scams have taken place using the vehicle permits issued specifically for Sri Lankan migrant workers.

Addressing an event, Minister Nanayakkara said that permits were issued to migrant workers to import electric vehicles based on their remittance contribution to Sri Lanka. 

The permits were only issued to those who had met the required criteria and after being put through a thorough check by relevant state institutions, including banks.

Commenting on allegations of the permits being transferred to others, Minister Nanayakkara questioned if migrant workers must return to Sri Lanka just because they have imported a vehicle.

He further questioned who else could use the vehicle if the relevant vehicle was not transferred to a different individual. 

Minister Manusha Nanayakkara alleged that several politicians and state officials are causing an uproar over the matter without knowing the actual details surrounding the permit. (NewsWire)

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