The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you for the opportunity. Today we fulfill another special promise made to the people — the subject before us in this debate.

¶ 02 What are we saying here? This is not revenge. We must change the prevailing political culture of this country. Our accountability is to the people. Rulers here have not stood on behalf of the people, nor been accountable to them. Former rulers misused the resources of our country. Therefore, to change that culture, we are enacting the repeal of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act today.

¶ 03 We must understand who state leaders are. During their term they bear responsibility. Likewise, state officers have responsibilities. If a public servant, while discharging duties, commits an offence and is charged, their salary can be withheld until cleared by due process; if found guilty, sometimes even the pension can be forfeited. But what happens with politicians?

¶ 04 We know that several former Presidents have faced various allegations, yet we have never seen punishment, or their salaries or pensions withheld. Therefore, we believe this Bill is exemplary. We must accept that there is no difference before the law between the rulers and the people. As politicians we must not misuse public funds, including tax money and state property. After retirement, leaders must live on their own means. We must end the culture of living off the people after leaving office.

¶ 05 From 1978 to 2024, we know what former Presidents did for the country — and to the people.

¶ 06 I also wish to recall a lesson from Islamic history. Caliph Umar used one lamp for official work and another, at his own expense, for personal matters. If someone came at night, he would ask whether it was for public or personal business and use the appropriate lamp. Likewise, we welcome repealing the so‑called entitlements of Presidents.

¶ 07 A Member here lamented, “Do not remove our privileges.” They fear that removing presidential perks now will one day remove their own. Another said Presidents were “manufactured in cycles.” Even if we brought in a President under special circumstances, does that mean we must protect and heap more perks upon them thereafter?

¶ 08 All religions teach renunciation. Our President first chose to give up his own entitlements, and we as MPs are willing to forgo ours. Why can’t former Presidents do the same? If their lament benefitted the country there would be no issue.

¶ 09 Will this Bill benefit the country and the people? Yes. We will ensure security for former Presidents — that is a duty of the state — and pay their pensions.

¶ 10 This repeal will build a new culture. Our Tamil and Muslim people know how some former Presidents acted — the burning of the Jaffna Library in 1981, the July 1983 pogrom, intervening to free an accused in a rape case — and how Cabinets were used to create personal benefits. One said he was elected by the votes of one community, and even knowing in advance of the Easter attacks, failed to prevent them. Such leaders existed here.

¶ 11 Today’s President is elected by all three communities — Tamil, Muslim, Sinhalese — as a common leader. Whether President, MP, or Minister, we are not bringing laws to raise our own living standards, but to protect the property and interests of the nation and people.

¶ 12 We have seen former Presidents, with Cabinet approval, allocate Rs. 400 million and use it for their personal residences; or rent out their private house and live in a state house. That is neither graceful nor exemplary. We will ensure the safety of former Presidents and pay their pensions, but we will not treat them as foreigners to be given special benefits. Beyond security and pension, the extra facilities are what we are repealing. We are accountable to the people and will bring more such laws to improve their lives. This is not vengeance. We are implementing the people’s mandate. Thank you.