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Staggering staff expenditure disclosed during Mahinda-Maithri periods

2 December 2022 06:33 am - 24     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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*** The details were obtained through the Right to Information Commission directive

*** Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had deployed a personal staff of 2,578 from 2010 to 2014 at a cost of more than Rs.630 million

*** Former President Maithripala Sirisena had a personal staff of 1,317 from 2015 to 2019 at a cost of more than Rs.850 million

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had used 43 percent of the total expenditure of the Presidential allocation for his personal staff while former President Maithipala Sirisena has used 57 percent, according to accounts released by the office.

The details were obtained through the Right to Information Commission directive.

"Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had deployed a personal staff of 2,578 from 2010 to 2014 at a cost of more than Rs.630 million. (Rs.638, 107, 941. 84) and former President Maithripala Sirisena had a personal staff of 1,317 from 2015 to 2019 at a cost of more than Rs.850 million (Rs.850, 326,958.14).

Information provided by the Presidential Secretariat under the Right to Information Act has revealed that the two successive Presidents had spent more than Rs.1480 million (Rs.1488, 434.900.00) to maintain their personal staffs.

The particulars furnished by the Presidential Secretariat revealed that Former President Maithripala Sirisena who came to power, reiterating that he would refrain from misusing public funds, had outdone his predecessor in maintaining a personal staff at heavy cost.

Senior Researcher of the Centre for Policy Alternatives Lionel Guruge had requested for the relevant details in 2019 but the Presidential Secretariat had refused it.

However on the directive of the Commission for Right to Information that considered an appeal against the Presidential Secretariat’s decision, the authorities had on November 14, 2022 taken action to release the relevant details.

Researcher Lionel Guruge pointed out that any formation refused by government institutions could be obtained this way and that the people should be aware of it.

“The leaders are expected to be the guardians of national wealth but the majority of the people are not aware of the massive waste of public funds on maintaining jumbo personal staffs in this manner. However, we are hopeful that at least the future leaders will reduce such expenditure to the barest minimum, ” he said.

Wasteful government expenditure unavoidably has a direct impact on the downfall of the county’s economy. Although, it would not be felt instantly, its consequences would be experienced in a long run as evident from the dire economic crisis facing Sri Lanka today.

Particularly the Sri Lankan leaders who came to power often resorted to nepotism and appointed their political friends and relatives to key positions to perk them up, and with this in view maintained jumbo personal staffs at the cost of national wealth at their own will. (Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi)


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  Comments - 24

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  • Now only you know Friday, 02 December 2022 06:49 AM

    It is a known fact. Why these people are fighting to be leaders without doing nothing?

    Punchi Friday, 02 December 2022 06:50 AM

    Thanking money that could be used to by food for our malnourished children for the opulent living of those we elevated to look after us.

    Mahila Friday, 02 December 2022 06:57 AM

    Jadiyata Mudiya!!!?? What else to expect???

    Anura Nanayakkara Friday, 02 December 2022 07:00 AM

    No wonder that Srilanka came to this situation mainly because of these two guys neglect of government's money handling. They used public money of the people to fatten the purses of their kith and kin .Shame on you two guys who came to power to serve the country .

    Perin Nathan Friday, 02 December 2022 07:03 AM

    I will not shed tears. Sinhala people elected these guys. They should not complain. When you vote for corrupt people voters should know what they would do. Next time round hope they will vote for honest people, even if they are inefficient, they will be better than highway robbers.

    Keerthi Dissanayake Friday, 02 December 2022 07:06 AM

    Every Political leader in the past who came into power has been doing this for years and the poor tax paying public does not know as it was never divulged. Now it is time to expose those leaders to the public thanks to the directive of the Commission for Right to Information so that future voters will never vote them into power . Similarly Ministers and other officials must be exposed in if they have resorted to wasteful public funds. Wide coverage must be given both in print and electronic media so the poor voter from the beggar to the rich will be aware of that. This is the system change people are asking for. Send them home once and for all for the prosperity of Sri Lanka.

    H K Seneviratne Friday, 02 December 2022 07:31 AM

    Colossal waste of public funds in holding these post by incompetent persons

    Sokrates Friday, 02 December 2022 07:48 AM

    What kind of highly qualified staff was that? At Maithri one earned an average of 13445 rupees per month and at MR 5091.

    Ram Friday, 02 December 2022 08:25 AM

    Both had small beginnings with no money. One can understand how such people do things with a little opening

    Boru Na Atha ...... Atha ...... Atha Friday, 02 December 2022 08:31 AM

    How about Ranil, it will be double the amount within this short period.

    Sambo Friday, 02 December 2022 01:16 PM

    All family and friends.

    Sanjeeva A. Friday, 02 December 2022 03:03 PM

    Both of them spent much less than what they could have obtained from the allocation - can't complain. Why nobody made big fuzz when it was allocated? Typical SL mentality, letting someone do the wrong and then catching it should be changed.

    Willow Drive Friday, 02 December 2022 03:12 PM

    It may be worse at present

    sarath Friday, 02 December 2022 04:04 PM

    People are taxed to maintain political henchmen.

    Tak Tik Tuk Friday, 02 December 2022 05:09 PM

    This is only peanuts compared to the real amount these good for nothing fellows has used. don't forget the amounts of Helicopter rides they still haven't settled with the air force

    Sam Silva Friday, 02 December 2022 07:07 PM

    When the train has passed the complains are published. Same will happen with Ranil too.

    kumar soysa Friday, 02 December 2022 07:43 PM

    We the voters must learn to CHOOSE, and to choose wisely! If we marry the wrong person, we are stuck for life. Likewise, before we vote, THINK. And do NOT vote for an uneducated person who promises things which you know are unattainable These are people who came from humble, poor families. When they see a gold mine, they become lunatics.

    Neel Godfree Friday, 02 December 2022 08:35 PM

    Really it's unbelievable, for the one staff members more than 1000,at least we want to what are jobs that they have allocated. Moreover what are designation given to them.if any one knows please give me some clue how to get these details.

    Kathir Friday, 02 December 2022 08:43 PM

    We don’t have well educated Sinhalese youths to give a good less to all these aged leaders Let us kick them out from political life to see Sri Lanka

    Ruwan De Soysa Saturday, 03 December 2022 03:39 AM

    Why are Sri Lankans so naive? Why do they believe everything put in front of them, without a challenge? Let’s do a small calculation. If MR had employed 2578 personal staff during the 5 years at a cost of Rs 630 m, their monthly salary would be Rs 4073. Can he even employ a beggar for that price?

    Nuwan Saturday, 03 December 2022 05:40 AM

    That is how they sustained their cronies. This is nothing compared to how they treated big businessmen with favourable tax cuts and legislation. No politician keeps their money in their pockets. They are all hidden with cronies. JVP did this in 88-89. The stolen goods were hidden with their closest UNP relative.

    Demuni Uduwara Saturday, 03 December 2022 07:57 AM

    Mahinda Rajapaksa held Presidency twice from Nov.19, 2005 to Jan.08, 2015. Hence this information is inadequate.

    Christopher Seneviratne Saturday, 03 December 2022 03:59 PM

    Presidential employment agency. Providing employment to idlers like Roshitha and family members.

    Ben Sunday, 04 December 2022 10:56 AM

    MS has to admit or deny this,if not answered that also considered as admitted,it would be further negative point as unreliable lier,who cheated country many times


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