No contribution was made by govt. for fmr prez’s foreign tours

16 August 2022 10:46 pm - 43 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Whilst Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardana admitted that the Sri Lankan government footed the bill to provide former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to fly to Thailand from Singapore in a chartered flight last week, Information Department said government made no contribution for it.

The Department said that the former president had spent his own private funds on his foreign visits.

Responding to a journalist at yesterday’s post-cabinet news briefing, Minister Gunawardana said the Sri Lanka government paid the bill as it was the responsibility of the government.

“Each and every executive president retired and widows of those passed away enjoy benefits, privileges and special facilities, and they are also paid an allowance under the ‘President Entitlement Act No. 4 of 1986’. Therefore, the government is committed to pay former President Rajapaksa’s bills,” he added.

It was under the provisions of this Act, that former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena, Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mrs. Hema Premadasa are provided with a residence, allowance and other facilities, Minister Gunawardana stressed.

If and when former President Rajapaksa returns home in future, the government must provide him with all facilities and privileges entitled to a retired President from the public purse, he added. (Sandun A. Jayasekera and Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 43

Lalith Siriwardena Tuesday, 16 August 2022 11:07 PM

NZ citizens don't get their pensions for the time they live away from the country and it is so in all developed countries.

Athk68 Tuesday, 16 August 2022 11:21 PM

Either the minister or the information department is not telling tbe truth.

Kaka Tuesday, 16 August 2022 11:22 PM

2500/- RS man any problem with you. Will you go to 154 bus and check you brain.

Kaka Tuesday, 16 August 2022 11:25 PM

Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana today admitted that the Sri Lanka government footed the bill to provide former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to fly to Thailand from Singapore in a chartered flight last week. ANEY bandu

Chalia Pieris Tuesday, 16 August 2022 11:34 PM

He did not retire, he was sacked or forced out due to his own stupid decisions and arrogance, that brought a country to its knees. Millions suffered because of his incompetence. Go Figure!

Fact is fact Tuesday, 16 August 2022 11:56 PM

If Bandula Gunawardene has not told the truth and has deceived the public he should resign immediately.

kondaya77 Wednesday, 17 August 2022 12:48 AM

No wonder S.L. is broke,with a beer budget spend like there is no tomorrow,meanwhile the children are starving.

Ram Wednesday, 17 August 2022 02:35 AM

Amazing, We have two official versions from the government on an issue. Whom to believe. Ranil we want you to answer this query.

Nish Wednesday, 17 August 2022 02:48 AM

This country is hilarious. If these contradictions happen in another country, either the Minister or the Department head has to resign immediately. In SL though, contradictions and lies are considered as achievements. The wonder of Asia, wishing to be born here again.

Thusitha Wednesday, 17 August 2022 03:31 AM

We know the 225 members are not only clueless but thieves and liars. This is another gimmick to confuse the masses.

Harry Rathnayake Wednesday, 17 August 2022 04:55 AM

Sorry guys, Bandula Gunawardana did not read the email all the way to the bottom. The gov did not footed the bill... I repeat did not. Bandu only read the part where the the government shared the expenses... All of us are getting fooled all the time..

C.K.Lankaputhra. Wednesday, 17 August 2022 06:36 AM

How can the fmr. President be considered retired. He was chased away by the people and commited to resign. All monies looted by him to be recovered.

nadarajah Wednesday, 17 August 2022 06:41 AM

do you need enemies when you have friends like this in the cabinet ??? ha ha

Mike Revere Wednesday, 17 August 2022 06:43 AM

Govt. did not spend but was robbed from. Retirement benefits for short 2 year presidency should not be paid equal to those of full term.

Putting air Wednesday, 17 August 2022 06:53 AM

Making the public jokers by this kind of statements by each and every Minister that caused the unpopularity of the governnent. President Gotabaya did the right thing by leaving these loosers.

A Dollar to Die For Wednesday, 17 August 2022 06:59 AM

To believe it or not to believe is the million dollar question!!!

G Wednesday, 17 August 2022 07:10 AM

Minister Bandula must be answerable for his statement!!!! We need the truth and we're waiting to know exactly who is covering this up.

TJ Wednesday, 17 August 2022 07:20 AM

Contradictory statements are possible because the state actors are clueless and unaware of what is happening in the country

Massdeen Wednesday, 17 August 2022 07:35 AM

Very much contradicting statements issue, the Sunday times said expenses was borne by his son Manoj n Gota billionaire friend, Bandula says Govt expenses, Dept of Info says Gora paid from Personal fund which is correct??? Also from where he got so much money to pay for all those expenses, He is also not qualified for any privileges as he a failed President, he fled the country so he is a Fugitive

Cherath Wednesday, 17 August 2022 07:50 AM

As usual the left hand doesn't know what the right hand did. OR, is it a ploy to divert the anger and frustration of the long suffering public while the clueless President is groping in the dark for solutions?

Ramesh Wednesday, 17 August 2022 08:02 AM

If it's so, can we find fault with Bandula? In any language both the statements won't give the same interpretation.

saman Wednesday, 17 August 2022 08:18 AM

Prepare to pay more tax people! We have so many ex-presidents to be maintained.

Bandu Wednesday, 17 August 2022 08:54 AM

That means if a cabal gets power, every year one can resign and another appointed by MPs and five for five years. Are we to give them privileges? This must only be for those who complete full term, assassinated or dies in office and new appointee completes balance term. No resignations allowed privileges.

Disappointed Wednesday, 17 August 2022 09:01 AM

This minister seems to have made a very reckless, callous and irresponsible statement at a very sensitive time. He should be removed (sacked) immediately. We need responsible and disciplined cabinet ministers.

Terrence Wednesday, 17 August 2022 09:33 AM

The former President did not retire but abdicated his position and he is not entitled to any retirement benefits and this should be referred to Supreme Court

tilak Wednesday, 17 August 2022 09:54 AM

he is not a retired President and is not entitled to provisions reserved for those who served the country. This man abdicated his duties and responsibilities

Roshanaly Wednesday, 17 August 2022 10:00 AM

Then what about the statement made by the Minister Bandula.

JR Wednesday, 17 August 2022 10:06 AM

Are all ex -President's entitled to the same privileges irrespective of the duration they held office ? Some ex - President's have completed two full terms, some less than two full terms. Gota have been in office less than even half a term and Ranil may not even last that long. Does an ex -President who stays in office even for a few months gets entitled to as much Privileges as one who has completed two full terms ?

freddy foxx Wednesday, 17 August 2022 10:14 AM

Do these privileges also cover a President who had to leave the Country as a fugitive and ask for 'alms' from other states. If that is the case, I wish that I too was a President for a day.

johan Wednesday, 17 August 2022 10:17 AM

This shows the Govt's Jekyll and Hyde attitude.He did not complete 5 years tenure to get the Presidential benefits after his reirement.He was only chased away which was followed by his resignation.

Labby Wednesday, 17 August 2022 10:42 AM

Isn't there a contradiction here? On the one hand the minister says "the Sri Lankan government footed the bill to provide former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to fly to Thailand from Singapore in a chartered flight last week", and then he goes on to say "Information Department said government made no contribution for it." So did the government foot the travel bill or not?

Nomads Wednesday, 17 August 2022 11:29 AM

It's purely hard earned money of previous president spent personally on luxury travels. The money that was abandoned at president house speak volumes

Boru kings Wednesday, 17 August 2022 11:33 AM

We are living in a abnormal country where every minister speaks without any sense in what they say. One says govt paid for Gotas visit to Thailand and govt says it did not pay now we don't know which one to believe as this country is ruled by a set of rogues of Rajapakshas/ Ranil.

ANTON Wednesday, 17 August 2022 12:19 PM

Quote: "If and when former President Rajapaksa returns home in future, the government must provide him with all facilities and privileges entitled to a retired President from the public purse, he added." THIS MAY BE LEGALLY CHALLENGED IN COURT AS THE FORMER PRESIDENT NEVER COMPLETED HIS TERM OR RETIRED. HE VACATED (ABANDONED) THEN RESIGNED FROM HIS POSITION.

Sena Wednesday, 17 August 2022 12:25 PM

I think the Information Department officials are either sleeping or naïve to think that taxpayers did not fund the former president and his entourage charter flight.

Dilshan Perera Wednesday, 17 August 2022 12:25 PM

We need to stop this immediately for all past and future presidents...

Tom Pachaya caught Wednesday, 17 August 2022 12:32 PM

So, Hon. Bandula Gunawardhane is a Tom Pachaya, and it is proved within 24 hours. Will he be summoned to the Prinicipal's room?

Anne Karunaratne Wednesday, 17 August 2022 02:54 PM

If bandula Gunawardene is lying then the department of government information should take action against him. Bandula should be asked to resign immediately, IF he lied! This is a very grave matter.

Roger Halliday Wednesday, 17 August 2022 03:43 PM

He ran away as he feared he'll be lynched. He is not entitled to receive a rupee. he left the the country he messed and he is not entitled to receive tax payers money. Bandula can give from his couruupt deals. The අරගලය will fight to make this country a better place by sending these Crooks from that house that sustains these buggers

TaxpayerD Wednesday, 17 August 2022 03:59 PM

Who tells truth. A former President can be given official residence, expenses on it ,transport in SL, security and such. But no reason to pay foreign transport unless its on official grounds. If taxpayers money is used on foreign travel etc. unless official involvement its wrong, Spouse also enjoys such undoubtedly.

DGee Wednesday, 17 August 2022 04:09 PM

Minister Bandula seems making such inaccurate statements. State funds should not be used for unofficial travel of an ex-president. If he attends an official function or on official invitation then its reasonable.

Untrustworthy govenment Information Department Wednesday, 17 August 2022 09:03 PM

At least MP say the ugly truth. Why lies by official at Information Department. If big man and woman Information Department at don't know they should say they don't know, not lie. Sooner or later government worker lies like these will be found out. Not good for high post staff to make lies. How can we trust they can do anything properly.

Harin Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:35 AM

Singhalaya modaya is true

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No contribution was made by govt. for fmr prez’s foreign tours

Comments - 43

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