Over 50 Members of Parliament had gone on a boating spree yesterday (Jan. 09) on the dredger tug vessels ‘Diyakowla’ and ‘Hansakawa’ which belong to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), reports say.

The vessels were reserved for the purpose on a request made by the State Minister of Ports – Premalal Jayasekera, also known as ‘Choka Malli’. A letter dated on Dec. 13 had requested to reserve these vessels.

This boating spree for 56 MPs had cost the SLPA over Rs. 2.5 million, reports add.In addition to the vessels, refreshments and waiting staff were also arranged as requested.

Invitations had been sent by the State Minister, which had urged the MPs to arrive at the Colombo Port by 06.00pm.

Reports also say that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was among the guests.