GOVT. HASN’T MORAL RIGHT

TO RESTRICT IMPORTS: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday the government had no moral right to restrict the import of goods as a solution to the economic crisis while government members including the President, Prime Minister and ministers were wasting public money to import vehicles worth millions and tour the globe accompanied by large delegations.

The Prime Minister has imported two vehicles worth about Rs.600 million. He even comes to parliament from Temple Trees by helicopter

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a news conference that it was ludicrous for the government to point out that it had restricted the import of vehicles including those for MPS on duty-free permits because the MPS had already imported vehicles worth millions of rupees. “The Prime Minister has imported two vehicles worth about Rs.600 million. He even comes to parliament from Temple Trees by helicopter. He does not even travel 60 km in these vehicles. The President has also imported two such vehicles. Ministers have also imported vehicles worth millions soon after they assumed duties as ministers. Ministers are touring the world every week or two. The President was accompanied by a 63-member delegation including relatives, staff and journalists to the UN. They spend at will,” he said.

Mr. Dissanayake said suspension of permits at this juncture would not affect the MPS but it would only affect the public servants. “Some public servants had sold their old vehicles with the hope of buying new ones. But instead they have lost even the old vehicle. The government is asking people to tighten their belts while its MPS lead luxury lives,” he said and added that the measures taken by the government to alleviate the economic crisis had failed and instead had aggravated

the crisis.