Leader of the House calls for probe into excessive fuel use by former Speaker and Deputies

Thursday, 13 March 2025 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Leader of the House and Minister

Bimal Rathnayake

Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake yesterday called on the Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne to investigate alleged excessive fuel use by the 9th Parliament’s Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa, and Deputy Chairman of Committees Angajan Ramanathan during their tenures.

Addressing Parliament, Rathnayake disclosed that Abeywardena had used nine vehicles in the first nine months of 2024, racking up a fuel bill of Rs. 33 million. During the same period, Rajapaksa allegedly used six vehicles, spending Rs. 13 million, while Ramanathan used four vehicles, with a fuel cost of Rs. 7.2 million.

He further revealed that in 2023, Abeywardena had used eight vehicles with a fuel bill of Rs. 26 million, while Rajapaksa’s fuel expenses stood at Rs. 18 million for six vehicles and Ramanathan had used four vehicles, spending Rs. 7.8 million.

Rathnayake stated that after he initially raised the issue in Parliament, former Speaker Abeywardena dismissed the claims as false. However, the Leader of the House asserted that the figures had been verified by Parliament Finance Director G. Sarath Kumara.

“I request the Speaker to look into the possibility of taking action against these persons,” Rathnayake said, calling for accountability regarding the alleged misuse of State resources.