Colombo
The Sri Lankan government announced on Wednesday that a committee is reviewing the cost of providing security for former presidents. According to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, maintaining security for former presidents and their families costs the government around Rs 1,100 million annually.
Herath stated that the expenses far exceed the budget allocated to the police hospital, with more than 100 police and military personnel assigned to each of the six former presidents or their widows.
The government has pledged to review and possibly reduce such privileges, including personal security, as part of efforts to ease financial burdens on the public exchequer. However, Herath clarified that the security of former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, who had raised concerns over a reduction in her security, had not been diminished. Her claims were dismissed as false.
The committee will present its findings to the cabinet, and future security allocations will be determined based on thorough assessments. The review follows a campaign promise by the current government to reduce the privileges of former presidents, especially as the country faces financial challenges.
