• The government has an obligation to explain to the people and Parliament on what grounds these facilities and privileges are provided to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

By Sandun A Jayasekera

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday claimed that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa living in retirement while enjoying the privileges and expenses offered by the state may be legally okay but questioned whether it was morally correct.   

 The chief opposition whip and senior vice president of the SJB, Lakshman Kiriella told reporters at the office of the Leader of the Opposition that former President did not retire properly from the executive presidency and fled the country under heavy protests on July 13 after two years and seven months to his presidency.  

“Mr. Rajapaksa must ask himself on the sake of his conscience whether it is correct for him to obtain all perks and privileges from the state after he fled the country following a public revolt against him without completing his full tenure in office,” Kiriella said.    “He failed to complete his full tenure of four years in office as the executive President after assuming office in November 2019. The ‘Presidents Entitlement Act No. 4 of 1986’ does not outline the procedure to follow on Presidents who fail to complete his or her full tenure in office or whether he or she is entitled to a pension and any other freebies from the state,” he stressed.