By. Ashoka Peiris
Former President Maithirpala Sirisena had spent Rs. 50 million for an official tour to the USA back in 2018, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachnadra told Parliament today.
“Former President Sirisena had taken 77 persons on this tour which included a total of nine Ministers including, then First Lady. The official delegation had 28 members, two protocol officers, 13 security officers and 28 media personnel. The total cost of this tour was Rs. 50.4 million,” the Deputy Minister said.
“Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken 72 members on a two-day official visit to India on February 8th and 9th incurring a total cost of Rs. 9.5 million. The official delegation had been 12 while 11 additional people had gone as a part of the official delegation. Five ladies in attendance and five media personnel, two separate security squads were also present to provide security to the President and the First Lady on the same tour,” he also revealed.
“This is only a few out of a number of foreign tours,” the Deputy Minister added.
He also mentioned that almost all MPs in the previous Parliament had been given transferable vehicle permits.
Furthermore, he replied to a question from the opposition party on how many people who has been working in Italy so far has had to face various problems while converting their Sri Lankan driving license to Italian driving licenses.
However, both countries signed an agreement in 2011 to avoid such problems, but the previous governments are not interested in maintaining it.
National People’s Power (NPP) Deputy Minister Hemachandra said that proper procedures will be followed for this in future.