MPs Get Pickup Trucks Instead of Duty-Free Permits — Real Reform or Same Cost to You?

Starting this term, MPs get state-owned double-cab pickups instead of the old duty-free import permits — the trucks stay government property and get handed back after each MP's tenure ends. Treasury set aside Rs 12.5 billion for this, and a fresh tender for 1,000 automatic 4WD diesel double-cabs closed on October 22, with the specs quietly relaxed from the earlier bid: minimum engine size down from 2500cc to 2400cc, ground clearance down from 300mm to 220mm. Supporters call this real progress — no more permits flipped for a quick profit, and the vehicle returns to the state instead of becoming someone's permanent asset. Critics say it's the same privilege in a different wrapper: taxpayers now fund the purchase, the insurance, the maintenance and the fuel, with no real guarantee these "pool" double-cabs won't end up used exactly like private vehicles for five years straight. Is a state-owned fleet of double-cabs actually cheaper for the country than the old permit system, or are we just paying for the trucks directly instead of losing the duty? රටට සල්ලි ඉතුරු වෙනවද, නැත්නම් මේකත් තවත් විදියකින් සල්ලි වියදම් කිරීමක්ද?