Minister Sunil Handunnetti declared that stripping former presidents of their perks and privileges is no shock but simply the fulfillment of a promise made to the people under the National People’s Power (NPP) manifesto. He stressed that the real surprise would have been if the government had failed to act on its pledge.
Minister Handunnetti told reporters that the NPP clearly committed during the election campaign to remove the perks and privileges enjoyed by former presidents. This step, he said, was not an arbitrary political move but the continuation of the movement’s agreement with the people.
“The NPP gave a pledge to the people that a future NPP government would remove the perks and privileges of former presidents. We have only carried out that promise,” he said.
He emphasized that citizens should not be shocked by the move. Instead, concern would have been warranted if the government had backed down. “No one should be worried about that. We are only carrying out the promises made to the people. If they had known it, they should have left their residences even earlier. It is a big mistake if they thought it was only an election promise,” he remarked.
Minister Handunnetti reiterated that the NPP manifesto is more than a political campaign tool. “Our manifesto is not only a manifesto targeting the election, it is also our agreement with the people to develop this country. No one should be surprised. People should be perturbed if we didn’t do so,” he added.
The decision, he explained, demonstrates accountability, fiscal responsibility, and the government’s determination to reset political culture by prioritizing the people’s trust over political privilege.
