Political sparring in Sri Lanka over privileges to ex-presidents

Colombo, Nov 2: 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 has 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.

“The Presidential Secretariat has noted recent media reports claiming that the security of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been reduced,” the statement said.

“The Presidential Secretariat states that all those reports are false,” it added.

Furthermore, a Cabinet sub-committee has been established to evaluate the privileges of former presidents, and future decisions and actions will be taken based on the committee’s recommendations, it added.

Opposition party leaders mounted an attack on Dissanayake, saying he would be responsible for any security breach to Rajapaksa as he was still under threat from the LTTE separatists for ending their decades-long military campaign.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at an election rally, was critical of the government’s attempt to reduce privileges for ex-presidents.

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

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Houses razed, hundreds detained in massive crackdown in Kashmir post Pahalgam massacre

Srinagar, Apr 26: Authorities in Kashmir have launched a...

Democratic politics have fundamentally changed globally, says Rahul Gandhi

Hyderabad, Apr 26: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on...

3 dead in Russian attacks on Ukraine as Zelenskyy meets Trump at Vatican

Kyiv, Apr 26: Three people have been killed overnight...

Massive explosion, fire strikes Iranian port, injures at least 516 people

Tehran, Apr 26: A massive explosion and fire rocked...

Thousands attend Pope Francis’ funeral, ceremony he helped reimagine

Vatican City, Apr 26: World leaders and Catholic faithful...

Assam: Two teens go missing while bathing in Brahmaputra

Barpeta (Assam), Apr 26: A search operation is...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img