Duty-free permits for lawmakers and House officials: Govt. sidesteps several RTI queries

The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government claimed that it was not aware of the total number of vehicle permits issued to members, the year the scheme came into being and whether all political parties represented in the House supported the move.

When this issue was first raised with the Parliament in terms of Right to Information Act No 12 of 2016, The Island was told that the questions pertaining to MPs should be forwarded to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

The Parliament did so on behalf of The Island , whereas questions regarding the issuance of vehicle permits were answered by Hansa Abeyratne, RTI officer and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament.

Of the 10 questions originally submitted to Parliament, the Hansa Abeyratne responded to question number 09 pertaining to parliament whereas D. M. C. Nalaka Dissanayake (ND), RTI Office and Senior Assistant Secretary (Parliamentary Affairs) of Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government answered rest of the questions (Q 1 to 8 and 10).

The Parliamentary Affairs section claimed that it had information regarding issuance of duty free permits issued since 2000.

(1) The Island: When did Parliament introduce the duty-free vehicle permit scheme?

ND: No response

(2) The Island: Would you please name the political party that made the proposal regarding duty-free vehicle permits? Did that proposal receive the support of all political parties represented in parliament at that time?

ND: As the Parliamentary Affairs section has been placed under the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government since 2000, information pertaining to the issuance of duty free vehicle permits during the period this particular section operated as a separate ministry and under some other ministries was not available. Therefore the Parliamentary Affairs section couldn’t find the information sought.

(3) The Island: The total number of duty-free vehicle permits issued to members since the introduction of the scheme?

ND: Parliamentary Affairs section didn’t have the required information.

(4) The Island: Could you please name the MPs who had received five or more such permits?

ND: Parliamentary Affairs section didn’t have the required information.

(5) The Island: Did Parliament advise MPs that vehicles brought under duty free permits couldn’t be sold to a third party?

ND: Yes.

(6) The Island: In case of resignation of an MP including National List member even just weeks before the completion of the term does the successor receive an opportunity to procure a duty-free vehicle?

ND: Yes.

(7) The Island: When did Parliament last issued duty free vehicle permits?

ND: Duty free vehicle permits were issued for the period 2015-Sept 1-2020 March 02.

(8) The Island: Could you give reasons for the suspension of the issuance of duty free permits?

ND: A decision was yet to be taken in this regard.

(10) The Island: The duty free value of the permit when it was first issued and the value at the last time it was done?

ND: We are not aware of its value when it was first issued. However on the last occasion (2015-2020) the CIF value (Cost, insurance and Freight) value was USD 62,500.

The parliament was however able to provide a comprehensive answer regarding the issuance of duty free permits to its officers.

According to the Deputy Secretary General Hansa Abeyratne altogether 148 permits had been issued since 1999. Abeyratne provided a breakdown: 1999 January to 2001 January 42 permits, 2007 January to 2008 january06, 2011 January to 2013 June 34, 2013 June to 2015 January 14, 2016 January to 2017 January 07, 2018-January to 2018 June 03 and 2018 June to 2024 January 42.