The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 We are repealing the Presidents’ Entitlements Act of 1986. The Opposition is presenting much misinformation — claiming we will remove security of former Presidents. Nowhere does this Bill remove security. That Act provided an official residence, a secretarial allowance, and a pension and housing for widows of former Presidents, including a secretarial allowance to widows. Security is not at issue here. Some make sly threats to President Anura Kumara, saying, “If you end the underworld, we will see.” We are not afraid. We will finish any underworld anyone created. President Anura Kumara needs not your protection; the people’s protection is what a leader needs — their support, respect, and love — which he has. We have seen what happens to Presidents who do not have that.

¶ 03 No one in the Opposition seems to have a contemporary understanding of global and local politics, or of the people’s aspirations. They label this as hostile class politics — “we are the non‑elites, they are elites.” They try to ignite hatred. We must answer that.

¶ 04 Across the world — you can see on the news and social media — in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal and elsewhere, people demand equality and dignity. In developing and developed countries alike, the public resent rulers becoming rich alongside their friends while citizens struggle. That discontent sometimes erupts into protests or even violence. Understand this.

¶ 05 Our democracy is safeguarded because we have a government that respects democracy and a people who seek change democratically. If rulers try to stand above the people, if they reject equality between rulers and citizens, democracy will not survive.

¶ 06 Any office can have necessary facilities to do the job. But growing fat on public wealth while leaving nothing for the people threatens democracy everywhere. To protect democracy, rulers must change — accept equality, stand with the people, and act according to their wishes. The threats made against our President are serious, especially considering what is surfacing from lands of some of their party members. But we trust a leader who has won the people’s love stands with us. We do not need the Opposition’s protection.

¶ 07 Why is this law necessary now? First, it is a promise in the NPP policy — to abolish unlimited powers and perks of the presidency. Second, the way former Presidents acted — as Heads of Cabinet — using power to benefit themselves. The Supreme Court, in two cases regarding post‑retirement official residences, ruled against such self‑benefit: recently against President Maithripala Sirisena, and earlier in Senarath and others v. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and others (2007), regarding an Urban Development Authority land near Parliament developed at great cost. Former Presidents used power for personal comfort while the country suffered — spending Rs. 300–400 million renovating houses during economic crisis and COVID, when people lacked food. That insensitivity is what we address.

¶ 08 The President is the most powerful figure, trusted and loved by the people — and therefore bears the duty to protect that trust. The people demanded removal of these excesses; we are responding. We must reset political culture, set standards for politicians and Presidents, and legislate against misuse of conferred power. We bring this Bill to protect democracy and the people’s aspirations, and we expect the Opposition’s support. We rely on the people’s protection, not the Opposition’s.

¶ 09 Thank you.