By: Isuru Parakrama
October 28, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed his commitment to eliminate the costly benefits provided to former heads of state, emphasising that these perks will be removed “no matter what.”
Speaking at a rally in Baddegama, Galle, he criticised the existing system, which places the financial burden of maintaining past leaders on the public.
President Dissanayake noted that former presidents currently enjoy extensive privileges, safeguarded by parliamentary acts, constitutional provisions, and administrative circulars.
However, he revealed that the government is considering amending these provisions to drastically reduce or eliminate such entitlements.
“We cannot sustain the country while catering to these requests,” he stated, highlighting the requests by former leaders for extensive security details, ambulances, luxury vehicles, and other costly benefits.
“Some even demand 163 security personnel, an array of vehicles, including 17 or 18 BMWs,” he added, stressing that politics should be a service to the people, not an avenue for luxurious post-office benefits.
Dissanayake’s government aims to recalibrate the role of public service within the country’s politics, ensuring that leadership is focused on service rather than privilege.
