Political sparring in Sri Lanka over privileges to ex-Presidents

The office of Sri Lankan President and National People’s Power (NPP) party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake also denied reports that security for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been reduced. file | Photo courtesy: Reuters

“A Sri Lankan Cabinet sub-committee will soon review the privileges granted to former presidents of the country and future action on the matter will be taken based on its recommendations,” the Presidential Secretariat has said.

chairman Anura Kumara DissanayakeThe office also denied reports on Friday (November 2, 2024) about the former president’s security Mahinda Rajapaksa Has been reduced.

The statement from the Presidential Secretariat comes after concerns were raised by former presidents that the new Sri Lankan government under President Dissanayake would curtail their privileges.

In order of Elections on 21st SeptemberMr Dissanayake vowed to stop all privileges granted to former presidents, claiming they were a burden on the taxpayer.

In recent days, the government has faced criticism over its alleged move to cut personal security provided to former President Rajapaksa.

“The Presidential Secretariat has taken note of recent media reports claiming that the security of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been reduced,” the statement said.

“The President’s Secretariat says that all those reports are false,” it said.

In addition, a Cabinet sub-committee has been established to evaluate the privileges of former presidents, and future decisions and actions will be taken based on the committee’s recommendations.

Opposition party leaders attacked Mr Dissanayake, saying he would be held responsible for any breach in Mr Rajapaksa’s security as he still faces threats from LTTE separatists to end his decades-old military campaign.

former President Ranil WickramasingheSpeaking at an election rally, he criticized the government’s attempt to reduce privileges for former presidents.

Sri Lanka has six living former presidents or widows and their privileges are provided for under the Presidential Privileges Act of 1986.