If all the 225 MPs apply for this loan, the BoC will have to release nearly Rs. 2,000 million, says JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The permit gives an MP the facility to import a vehicle free of duty of up to Rs. 28 million, he has told BBC Sandeshaya.

He said it was a matter for grave concern that an MP could sell the license for a large sum even before obtaining the BoC loan.

The JVP has decided not to apply for this loan, he added.

Ranjan says unfair

Commenting on this, deputy minister Ranjan Ramanayake said allocating such a massive sum for MPs was totally unfair.

He said he was using the vehicle that had previously been used by a minister.

There are thousands of vehicles that remain unused, but can be repaired and used, said Ramanayake.

He said he was not prepared to burden the people with this Rs. 2,000 million.

Attempts to reach minister Ravi Karunanayake for a comment failed.