Asset declarations Dilith, Wijeyadasa the richest main presidential candidates

• President Ranil Wickremesinghe the lowest monthly income earner 
• Namal’s assets include multi-million loans, gold, collection of luxury vehicles received as wedding gifts
• Sajith owns collection of luxury vehicles, lands etc

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

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.