The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, this repeal marks a turning point in political culture. We are repealing the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986. The 1978 Constitution already addressed pensions and certain offices; yet in 1986, special post-office entitlements were added.

¶ 02 Sovereignty and universal franchise since 1931 affirm equality. After serving terms, why should former Presidents enjoy benefits beyond what ordinary citizens retiring at 55–60 after decades of service receive? This Bill applies not only to the past but to the present and future—including the current President and ourselves by precedent.

¶ 03 What is removed? The house or housing allowance, monthly secretary’s allowance, official transport allowance, etc., created by the 1986 Act. Security and vehicles provided by Cabinet decisions remain adjustable by need.

¶ 04 This is not primarily about amounts but about setting the right direction for political culture in a country that went bankrupt. Malnutrition rose; food consumption fell; people suffered. We must rebuild the economy and reform political culture. We pledged this before, during and after elections. The symbolic value is large: leaders should retire like ordinary citizens, with pensions intact but without special luxuries.

¶ 05 The Chitrasiri Report underpins broader reforms—this repeal is one step. People expect two things: stabilize and grow the economy, and reform political culture with rule of law. We are delivering on both, as reflected in indicators and multilateral assessments.

¶ 06 Our President has long argued that without changing political culture—treating politicians as ordinary citizens—progress is impossible. This Bill is part of that. If security needs arise, they are addressed separately. The era of divinely anointed rulers is over; universal franchise made all equal. This reform is about our future, not the past. I am proud to vote for it.