Former Presidents directed to hand over additional vehicles

Former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe have called by the government to return all additional vehicles held by them, the Government Information Department said yesterday.

The department said keeping with the 1986 No 04, President’s entitlements act every former president, widow of a president should be provided with an official vehicle and other facilities provided to a cabinet Minister.

However, keeping with the circular issued in 2010 the official vehicles allocated for use and security of Ministers and Deputy Ministers should be three (including Cars, Jeeps and double cabs) 

Therefore the Government Information Department said that former presidents  Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as Ranil Wickremesinghe were informed to hand over the additional vehicles currently being used by them according to the President entitlement act.

Former President Mr Rajapaksa had returned eight vehicles out of the 16 vehicles used by him. Meanwhile 11 vehicles are currently used by Former President Wickremesinghe.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today addressing the inaugural election rally of his party Jathika Jana Balawegaya also referred to the additional vehicles used by the Presidents.