Sparring in Lanka over privileges to former presidents

A Sri Lankan Cabinet sub-committee will soon review the privileges accorded to former presidents of the country and future actions on the matter will be taken based on its recommendations, the Presidential Secretariat has said.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s office on Friday also refuted reports that the security of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had been reduced. The statement by the Presidential Secretariat came after concerns raised by ex-presidents that the new Sri Lankan government under President Dissanayake would slash their privileges.

In the run-up to the September 21 election, Dissanayake had vowed to stop all privileges of ex-presidents claiming they were a burden on the taxpayer. In recent days the government has faced criticism over the reported move to slash the personal security provided to former president Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka has six living ex-presidents or widows and their privileges are provided under the 1986 Presidential Privileges Act.