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CHOGM bill soars: Ministers want super-luxury vehicles after summit
View(s):The Government will import a fleet of luxury vehicles for use by leaders attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo in November. The choice now is between full option BMW 7 series and Mercedes Benz S class vehicles.
Immediately after the summit, the Government proposes to sell these vehicles by public auction and recover the funds. However, some ministers have already made requests from the UPFA leadership to allow them to use these vehicles as their official vehicles.
It is not immediately clear how many vehicles from each manufacturer will be ordered.
Earlier, public announcements were made inviting luxury vehicle owners to rent their vehicles. An official source said such vehicles would be for use by VIPS other than Commonwealth leaders.
In the light of this, the Government has not included the cost of vehicles or hiring of transport in the official expenditure of Rs. 1,930 million that will be spent on CHOGM. Some 6,000 delegates and journalists are expected to visit Colombo for the summit.
Here is a breakdown of the expenditure in terms of a report submitted to the Cabinet of Minister Neomal Perera, who was then acting Minister of External Affairs. Accommodation (Rs. 85 million), Commonwealth Business Forum (Rs. 90 million), Commonwealth People’s Forum (Rs. 95 million), Official Engagements and Hospitality (Rs. 290 million), Spouses’ Programme (Rs. 35 million), Social Programme (Rs. 75 million), Retreat (Rs. 80 million), Accreditation (Rs. 850 million), Meeting Venues (Rs. 145 million) and Miscellaneous (Rs. 105 million).
In addition, the Ministry of Mass Media will spend a further Rs. 975 million. It will be for its website (Rs. 15 million), Media Centre (Rs. 800 million) and for Public Awareness Campaign (Rs. 160 million).
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