Ranil among lowest earning Presidential candidates: Assets declaration reveals

Colombo, August 23 (Daily Mirror)- The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has published the asset declarations of all 39 Presidential candidates on its official website.

According to the assets declarations, tycoon Dilith Jayaweera and former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe seem to be financially well-off compared to the other main candidates.

Jayaweera, contesting under the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, has the highest monthly income of Rs. 16,500,000. According to asset declarations, he declared owning a luxury apartment at One Galle Face and a significant number of shares in various businesses, including the hotel industry, and jewellery valued at Rs. 30 million.

Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, running for the National Democratic Front (NDF), reported a monthly income of Rs. 1,345,000. This includes Rs. 1,000,000 from Lotus Holdings, Rs. 65,000 from his ministerial role, and Rs. 280,000 as a parliamentarian. He also declared owning a Toyota V8 jeep, a nine-acre coconut plantation, and a property in Delgahawatta worth Rs. 40 million.

Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared a monthly salary of Rs. 97,500 and a Parliamentary pension allowance of Rs. 82,191.66. His financial assets include Rs. 40,000 in cash, gold worth Rs. 325,000, and three properties in Kurunegala, Colombo 7, and Rajagiriya. Accordingly, Wickremesinghe's total monthly earnings amount to Rs.177,316, which is the lowest among the leading candidates.

Namal Rajapaksa, from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), has a monthly income of Rs. 54,285 from his parliamentary duties and additional allowances of Rs. 400,000. His disclosures also show significant personal loans, including a Rs. 200 million loan from 2017/2018 and a Rs. 10 million loan from 2020. His assets include gold worth around Rs. 8.5 million, gems worth about Rs. 14.2 million, three pieces of land, and a collection of luxury vehicles received as wedding gifts.

On the other hand, Sajith Premadasa, the candidate from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has a modest monthly income of Rs. 285,681.14. His financial assets include Rs. 78,000 in cash for himself and Rs. 59,000 for his wife. He owns several vehicles, including two Mitsubishi double cabs, a Land Cruiser, a Prado, and a Benz, and properties such as agricultural land and a house in Rajagiriya. He also has a diverse portfolio of shares.

Further, the presidential candidate of National People’s Power, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, reported a monthly income of Rs. 54,285 from his MP salary and an allowance of Rs. 202,517.34. His assets include a Toyota Hilux Double Cab, three bank accounts, and a house in his wife’s name in Ranmuthugala, Kadawatha.

MP and former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka declared a monthly income of Rs. 320,000. His investments include Rs. 30 million held by his wife in Visula Hotel, Athurugiriya, and two houses and some land.

Meanwhile, Former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka entrepreneur Janaka Ratnayake has a monthly income of Rs. 350,000. He also owns gold and watches worth Rs. 65 million, a Porsche Jeep, a Benz car, and four properties, including two houses.