The Cabinet has approved a proposal to gazette and present in Parliament a draft bill to amend the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986, aiming to scale back special privileges granted to former Presidents, their families, and retired Members of Parliament.
This follows last month’s Cabinet decision to draft legislation repealing both the Presidents’ Entitlements Act and the Parliamentary Pensions Law No. 1 of 1977.
The move is part of the government’s policy agenda, “Pohosath Ratak – Lassana Jeewithayak” which the government said has received public backing for ending such entitlements.
The Cabinet approved the proposal by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare two draft bills supporting this reform.
Responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet briefing, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that the proposed amendment to reduce entitlements is not aimed at any individual former president.
“The government is responsible for the security of all citizens, including former presidents. There is also a court ruling regarding the security of the former president, and all these factors were considered when drafting the legislation,” he said, addressing questions specifically about former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He said that he believes the original 1986 legislation under President J.R. Jayewardene was designed with the security of retiring presidents in mind and contains clear provisions regarding housing and other entitlements.
Minister Jayatissa added that the new bill will be gazetted and presented to Parliament shortly. (Newswire)
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