The administration of Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken aim at longstanding privileges enjoyed by the country’s political elite, releasing a draft bill to amend the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986 and signalling its intention to revoke the lifetime perks afforded to former presidents and Members of Parliament.
The gazette of the proposed amendment, published this week, sets in motion the process to curtail the significant benefits granted to former heads of state and their families, as well as retired parliamentarians. The move is part of a broader push by the National People’s Power (NPP) led government to break with the legacy of previous administrations, many of which have been criticised for excessive spending, corruption, and the institutionalisation of privilege.
It comes amidst a wider crackdown on supposed corruption with several arrests of former regime figures in recent months.
Last week, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the gazetting of the bill and agreed that it should be tabled in Parliament. It follows a June decision by the Cabinet to draft legislation repealing both the Presidents’ Entitlements Act of 1986 and the Parliamentary Pensions Law No. 1 of 1977.
The repeal of these two laws would effectively eliminate special benefits such as lifetime pensions awarded to MPs after a single five-year term, and reduce the range of privileges, including security, housing, and staff, granted to former presidents and their families.
The Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, instructing the Legal Draftsman’s Department to prepare two draft bills to implement the reforms.
Former presidents, including Mahinda Rajapaksa, have already had their security details cut by the current regime.
The bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the coming weeks.
