Former Minister Diana Gamage says she was offered a Landcruiser V8 vehicle during her tenure as the State Minister of Tourism, to carry out her official duties.
Speaking to the media, Gamage said that she had been provided several unmaintained vehicles from the Tourism Ministry during her tenure.
She said, however, that she was forced to approach the Presidential Secretariat to obtain a vehicle in good condition to carry out her responsibilities, which were mostly onfield.
“Every vehicle I was given by the Tourism Ministry was of low maintenance. I nearly met with an accident while using one such unmaintained vehicle. Eventually, I had no choice but to reach out to the President’s Office, after which I received a proper vehicle,” she said.
Having used the vehicle during her tenure, Diana Gamage said that once leaving her position she returned the vehicle to the Presidential Secretariat.
The former minister also accused Tourism Ministry officials of profiting by keeping such unmaintained vehicles, adding that she has evidence to prove her allegations.
Diana Gamage is the latest former state official to comment on the lack of maintenance of state vehicles.
The comment comes after former Presidential Advisor Rosy Senanayake revealed that the Porsche Cayenne vehicle she was given during her tenure was also unmaintained, with doors not opening and the sunroof leaking water. (Newswire)