NCP Vehicles Misused

By Niranjala Ariyawansha

Vehicles belonging to the North Central Provincial (NCP) council have not been returned despite the council being dissolved and elections called for in September.
Former NCP member of the UNP Rohana Gamage said that 46 vehicles still remain with several provincial ministers.
He said that former North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake and four provincial council ministers are among those misusing the vehicles.
The term of the North Central Province, Sabaragamuwa Province and Eastern Province were dissolved last month and elections will be held on September 8.
With the provincial councils being dissolved the respective chief ministers lose their post and all property belonging to the council should be returned.
However, three weeks after the councils were dissolved the 46 vehicles belonging to the North Central Province have not yet been returned.
A month before the three councils were dissolved letters were sent to some sate institutions in the North Central Province saying the vehicles will be given to them for their use temporarily, Gamage said.
He said that this was done to keep the vehicles in use even when the North Central Provincial council is dissolved so that they do not need to be returned.
Gamage said that the council will however have to bear the cost for the fuel and drivers using the vehicles even after the council was dissolved.