Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2020-03-18

Parliamentary General Election 2020 - Use of Official Vehicles and Official Residences by the Prime Minister and other Ministers for the promotion of their Party/Candidature and the requirement of making payments to the Government on that behalf

- H.E. the President, by now, has dissolved the 8th Parliament with a date fixed for holding a Parliamentary General Election. However, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers have to accomplish their official duties and the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition as Members of the Constitutional Council should participate in the official proceedings of the Council until the Parliamentary General Elections are held. At the same time, the aforesaid persons are also involved in promoting their party and candidature and therefore, it is observed that making a payment to the Government for the use of their official vehicles and official residences is appropriate. Accordingly, it was decided by the Cabinet that the holders of the above positions should adhere to the same system adopted at the time of the Parliamentary General Elections held in the year 2015, as follows.

* to pay a monthly fee of Rs.100,000/- per vehicle, if the official vehicles are used for the promotion of their party and candidature.

* to personally bear the fuel expenses required in addition to the amount of fuel currently provided for the official vehicle.

* to personally bear all the expenses in the event of using aeroplanes or helicopters for the promotion of their party and candidature.

* to pay a monthly fee of Rs.100,000/-, if the official residence is used for the promotion of their party and candidature.