Pruning fmr. Presidents’ perks Govt. yet to decide as it awaits committee recommendations

• The government recalled additional vehicles assigned to former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe

By Kelum Bandara   

The government is yet to take a decision on the curtailment of perks and benefits of former presidents and their widows since it awaits the recommendations of the committee that has been appointed to look into it, a top source said.  

The former presidents and their widows are entitled to perks, including housing, vehicles, and pension in terms of the Presidents Entitlements Act.  

The government has now decided to curtail such benefits, but the Act stands in the way of it.  

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made an election pledge in this regard in the run up to the September 21 Presidential election. However, it cannot be done easily because of the Act.  Asked whether the Act will be amended, a top source said it depends on the recommendations of the committee.  

A former President is entitled to three vehicles - a car, jeep and double cab.  Recently, the government recalled additional vehicles assigned to former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe.