In addition, it is said that Rs. 4.2 million are to be reserved for the renovations of minister Kabir Hashim's official residence, after being tabled as Supplementary Estimates.

Although the expenditure heads of former Prime minister D.M. Jayaratne was Rs. 321,385,000 in 2014, the figure was increased to Rs. 549,498,000 by Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, reports say.

Cars with MR

Speaking in parliament yesterday (06), MP Wimal Weerawansa raised the issue of purchasing civilian armoured cars for the Prime minister.

MP Weerawansa had added that Rs. 34 million was spent to renovate the official residence of Minister Kabir Hashim.

In response, leader of the House, minister Lakshman Kiriella has said that they were compelled to make a purchase as former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken the cars with him after stepping down from office.

Not for cars

Adding to the controversy, State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena had refuted rumours that the Supplementary Estimates will be used to purchase a vehicle for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The minister was speaking at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department last evening (06).

He said several aspects were questioned, including whether allocations have been made for the Prime Ministers vehicles and a Minister’s official residences in the expenditure heads.

The State Minister said according to claims 59 million rupees has been allocated for the Prime Minister's vehicles and the expenditure heads of the prime minister in total amounts to 55 Million.

However he said the expenditure heads of the president will be divided among several ministries and one Ministry will receive 5 million further reiterating the government hasn’t used any of the allocations for any other purposes.