Planned cuts to former presidents’ perks face legal hurdles

• Govt. reviews benefits outlined in Act to decide on next step
• President, during his election campaign, promised to scrap benefits of ex-Presidents
• The matter is to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting

By Kelum Bandara

The government has initiated action to review the benefits of former Presidents to be pruned according to a criterion since some curtailments require legal amendments to be enacted by the next Parliament, a top source said.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during his election campaign, pledged to scrap benefits of the former Presidents, including pension benefits.

However, the benefits for them are decided in terms of the provisions of the Presidents Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986.

According to the law, every former President and every window of a former President, during his or her lifetime, is entitled to the use of an appropriate residence free of rent.

In case an appropriate residence is not provided, a monthly allowance equivalent to one-third of the monthly pension should be paid.

For every former President, a monthly secretarial allowance equivalent to the monthly salary is payable to the person holding the office of Private Secretary to the President should be paid. For the widow of a former President, a monthly secretarial allowance equivalent to the monthly salary payable to the person holding the office of Private Secretary to a Cabinet Minister should be paid.

They are also entitled to official transport and all such other facilities being provided to a Cabinet Minister at the moment. Besides, a pension is paid from the Consolidated Fund.

A top source close to the President said the government will review all these benefits and work out a criterion for the curtailment of them in keeping with the election promise.

“We will see whether extra benefits have been granted. Benefits outlined in the Act can be pruned only through legal amendments,” the source said.

The matter is to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting scheduled for next Monday.