A total of Rs. 1.027 billion was spent on official foreign visits made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe between 2022 and 2024, according to Chief Government Whip and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
Dr. Jayatissa disclosed the figures in response to a parliamentary question posed by National People’s Power (NPP) MP Lakmali Hemachandra. The inquiry, directed to the Prime Minister, sought specifics on the scale, cost, and composition of the delegations that accompanied the former President abroad.
According to the Minister, President Wickremesinghe undertook four official foreign visits in 2022 with a delegation of 63 members, costing the government Rs. 129 million. In 2023, the number of trips rose to 14, with 252 individuals accompanying him, leading to an expenditure of Rs. 577 million. In 2024, five visits were made with 111 delegates, costing Rs. 300 million.
Altogether, over the three-year span, Wickremesinghe made 23 foreign visits accompanied by 426 delegates. Additionally, 19 individuals were sent abroad as the President’s special representatives, incurring an extra Rs. 19 million in expenses.
