President says he rejected Ranil’s request to have 16 chefs, 163 guards

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said he has denied a request from former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for extensive privileges, which included 16 chefs, 163 security personnel, 30 umbrellas and over 20 vehicles. 

The President said at a public rally that moving forward, Wickremesinghe will be entitled to only three vehicles, in line with current government regulations. 

He said the government will introduce new legislation to prevent former Presidents from being supported through public funds.

Also, Dissanayake said that he had recalled two ambulances that were previously kept at the residences of Wickremesinghe and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, stating that these amenities should not be treated as personal property.