Ex-President’s Public Expenses vs. Private Responsibility

4 September 2025 12:00 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 3 Bookmark

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The recent incarceration of ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of public funds to travel to England—reportedly to accompany his wife, Maithree, in receiving an award from Wolverhampton University—raises a larger ethical question: how should public officials distinguish between state and personal expenses?

History provides a timeless example in the life of the righteous Caliph, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (Umar II). As recorded in the book ‘Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah’ (The Beginning and the End) by the historian Ibn Kathir, Umar II scrupulously separated public duty from private matters. When attending to state affairs, he used the government-funded lamp. Yet, the moment a personal or family issue arose, he would extinguish it and light another lamp with oil purchased from his own money, saying: “The gas for the lamp was bought with the government’s funds, while the matter that you wish to discuss with me is a family matter”.

This simple but profound gesture embodies accountability and respect for the public trust. It is a standard to which not only ex-presidents but all officeholders—past, present, and future—must be held. As Wickremesinghe reportedly left the NHSL (National Hospital of Sri Lanka) carrying Boris Johnson’s ‘Unleashed’, one hopes he might also reflect on Ibn Kathir’s ‘The Beginning and the End’. It offers far greater lessons on integrity in public office and reminds us that the line between state resources and personal gain must never be blurred.

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo

Comments - 3

Sena Thursday, 04 September 2025 04:47 AM

After the bond scam RANIL lost respect of people who thought he was not of the third class type as the RAJAPAKSA clan. He is as big a crook as them while handling the public poor man’s purse. AKD HAS SET A PRECEDENT WHICH IS LAUDABLE….NO PLAQUES TO CARRY NAMES OF POLITICIANS. PLEASE REMOVE ALL THE PLAQUES WITH NAMES OF THE ROGUES AND HANGERS ON.AS FUTURE GENERATIONS SHOULD NOT KNOW THEM.

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ANNE CUNT Thursday, 04 September 2025 06:09 PM

our future generations must know who robbed the country wearing pure white cloths to show purity and even going to the temple and give offerings with the stolen money.

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Rohini Wijetilleke Thursday, 04 September 2025 10:51 PM

Leave these despicable people including Rajapakse clan,Wickremasinghe, and Maithripala alone, because they will go home carrying their TAILS (TALES) behind them.

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