Although the government submitted a cabinet paper yesterday (24) to import luxury Toyota Prado jeeps for parliamentarians, it has been revealed that the letter of credit has been opened through the Bank of Ceylon about three weeks ago Sources said.
The letter of credit had been opened before the approval of the Cabinet and that the relevant paper had been submitted at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday only for the approval of the cover required for the transaction.
It was said that steps have been taken to import 228 Toyota Prado Land Crusher jeeps at a cost of 2.4 Billion. However, when the motion on vehicle imports was tabled in the Cabinet yesterday, it was shelved due to comments regarding the suspension until further consideration.
The 228 vehicles will be accompanied by 52 Toyota Hilux double cabs, 50 Hiace ambulances and 51 Hino lorry chassis valued at 3.7 billion rupees, the sources said.
However, sources who revealed the facts to Lankasara said that steps will be taken to import these ambulances, cabs and lorry chassis as a separate proposal in the future.
