A historic bill passed in Parliament has clipped the wings of former presidents, saving millions for taxpayers and sending a message of fiscal discipline in a country still battling economic strain.
The Former Presidents’ Entitlements (Removal) Bill, passed by a majority vote in Parliament today (10), marks a crucial milestone in the management of public expenditure in Sri Lanka. This new legislation is expected to restrict the costly privileges enjoyed by former presidents, reflecting growing public demand for accountability and financial prudence.
According to information revealed in the speech made by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, “The total amount spent by the government on former presidents in 2024 is Rs. 98,548,839 (ninety-eight million five hundred forty-eight thousand eight hundred thirty-nine).”
The expenditure was allocated as follows:
- Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Rs. 11,664,348
- Mahinda Rajapaksa, Rs. 54,652,990
- Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Rs. 15,772,450
- Maithripala Sirisena, Rs. 10,222,881
- Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rs. 3,492,309
Considering the population of Sri Lanka at 20 million, the approximate benefit per citizen from the passage of this bill amounts to Rs. 4.93 per year.
The total expected expenditure of the Sri Lankan government for the year 2025 is Rs. 7,190 billion. The amount spent on former presidents in 2024, Rs. 98.548 million, represents just 0.0014 percent of this budget expenditure.
Although this figure may seem relatively small compared to the overall budget, it stands as an important step towards controlling public spending and setting a precedent for wider reforms.
