Former Presidents’ perks cost taxpayers half a billion rupees since 2017

• Expenses covered pensions, vehicle-related costs, and other recurrent expenses
• Highest annual expenditure recorded in 2024, amounting to Rs. 110.52Mn
• NPP-led govt. pledged during its election campaign to scale  back excess privileges enjoyed by current and former heads of state

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

The government has revealed that a total of Rs. 491.2 million (Rs. 491,203,422) taxpayers’ money has been spent on former presidents and their widows from 2017 to the first six months of 2025.

The expenditure covers pensions, vehicle-related costs, and other recurrent expenses such as payments to personal secretaries, fuel, electricity, and water bills.

The beneficiaries include former presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Hema Premadasa, the widow of former President R. Premadasa.

According to official records, Hema Premadasa, Chandrika Kumaratunga, and Mahinda Rajapaksa have been receiving benefits since 2017, while Maithripala Sirisena has received benefits since 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa since 2022, and Ranil Wickremesinghe since 2024.

The highest annual expenditure was recorded in 2024, amounting to Rs. 110.52 million, with Mahinda Rajapaksa alone accounting for Rs. 61,664,936 of that amount.

Since 2017, the government has spent Rs. 42,321,789 on Hema Premadasa, covering pensions, transport, and other recurring costs. The highest amount spent on her was in 2019, with a total of Rs. 17,839,236 — including Rs. 16,566,217 for building and construction-related work.

Chandrika Kumaratunga’s total expenses since 2017 amounted to Rs. 72,089,043, while Mahinda Rajapaksa’s totalled Rs. 230,169,423.

The government has spent Rs. 90,167,081 on former President Maithripala Sirisena since 2019, with initial payments beginning at Rs. 615,738.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was elected in November 2019 and stepped down in July 2022, became entitled to benefits from 2022 onwards. By June 2025, Rs. 40,937,774 had been spent on his entitlements.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was appointed acting president and later elected by Parliament on July 20, 2022, became eligible for benefits following Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election as president in September 2024. In 2024, a total of Rs. 2,530,457, including Rs. 318,500 in pension, was spent on him, with total expenses reaching Rs. 15,981,862 by June 30, 2025.

Public interest in these expenditures has intensified following the passage of a new law in Parliament aimed at reducing the entitlements of current and former presidents.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s NPP-led government had pledged during its election campaign to scale back the excess privileges enjoyed by current and former heads of state.

The ‘President’s Entitlement (Repeal) Bill was passed with 151 votes in favour and just one against. The bill seeks to abolish the lifelong benefits and special privileges previously granted to former presidents, including state-funded residences, vehicles, staff, and security.