MP Abeygunawardena claims govt. offering undue perks to former Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan

Parliamentarian Rohitha Abeygunawardena has claimed that TNA Leader R. Sampanthan is receving undue perks from the government.

Addressing a press briefing yesterday (Mar 18), he alleged that the government was offering the former Opposition Leader an official residence along with a vehicle via a cabinet proposal.

"According to the constitution, former Presidents are entitled to receive such perks. However, I would like to ask the government on which grounds they were providing these facilitites to a former Opposition Leader," MP Abeygunawardena remarked.

Speaking further, he charged that the government was doing so in order to muster the support of the Tamil National Alliancce (TNA) to pass the budget.

"If this keeps continuing then a new ministry must be set-up to grant official vehicles and residences to former Ministers. If R. Sampanthan and I are Parliamentarians then both of us must be treated alike," he urged.