REASSESSMENT OF SECURITY PROVIDED TO FORMER PRESIDENTS: STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS — The Hon. Ananda Wijepala

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, in recent days, various parties have issued statements likely to cause confusion regarding the security of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

¶ 02 When the people gave us power, they emphasized changing the political culture. The public rejected the idea that rulers are above the people, and wanted leaders who live among the people. There was also great displeasure about limitless spending of public funds for politicians’ personal comfort, and the practice of politicians traveling with large convoys, disregarding road rules.

¶ 03 Unlimited public spending on politicians’ activities also led to public dissatisfaction. Therefore our Government prioritizes changing political culture. Amid debates on security for former Presidents, as Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, I deemed it necessary to clarify matters to the nation.

¶ 04 There is a law on facilities for former Presidents: the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, which states that adequate security shall be provided. It does not specify numbers. Therefore, on what basis do some claim security is “insufficient”? Conversely, if one says the staff is reduced, indicate for what purposes such staff are needed.

¶ 05 We are committed to changing the political culture and working accordingly. To study and recommend measures, the Cabinet appointed a committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Chitrasiri. This Government does not decide on appearances; we act based on facts and scientific approach. The Chitrasiri Committee made many recommendations, including that security for former Presidents should be determined after a formal threat assessment, providing adequate security accordingly. Thus, we neither arbitrarily reduce nor increase security; we implement expert recommendations.

¶ 06 This is not a reduction of security for former Presidents. It is right-sizing, providing security appropriate to the assessed need and removing excess personnel.

¶ 07 Certain individuals — especially failed politicians rejected at the last General Election — have misled the public by claiming this targets former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Not so. This measure standardized security and staffing for all former Presidents based on defined criteria. We categorically reject any claim of personal or targeted decisions.

¶ 08 Currently, for Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, 60 police officers and 228 tri‑forces personnel are deployed. For Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, 60 police officers and 4 military personnel. For Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 22 police officers and 188 tri‑forces personnel (total 210). For Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, 60 police officers and 57 military personnel (total 117). For Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, 60 police officers. For Mrs. Hema Premadasa, 10 police officers.

¶ 09 During the past eleven and a half months of 2024, a large sum of public money was spent for the maintenance of former Presidents. I will present these:

¶ 10 For Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa: Tri‑forces — Rs. 328 million; Police — Rs. 327 million; Presidential Secretariat — Rs. 55 million; total Rs. 710 million.

¶ 11 For Mr. Maithripala Sirisena: Tri‑forces — Rs. 6 million; Police — Rs. 185 million; Presidential Secretariat — Rs. 16 million; total Rs. 207 million.

¶ 12 For Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Tri‑forces — Rs. 258 million; Police — Rs. 39 million; Presidential Secretariat — Rs. 10 million; total Rs. 307 million.

¶ 13 For Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe (over three months): Tri‑forces — Rs. 19 million; Police — Rs. 60 million; Presidential Secretariat — Rs. 3 million; total Rs. 82 million.

¶ 14 For Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga: Police — Rs. 99 million; Presidential Secretariat — Rs. 12 million; total Rs. 110 million.

¶ 15 For Mrs. Hema Premadasa: Police — Rs. 30 million; Presidential Secretariat — Rs. 3 million; total Rs. 32 million.

¶ 16 Thus, within the past eleven and a half months, Rs. 1,448 million of public funds have been spent for former Presidents and a former First Lady. At a time when people suffer, this is a serious situation. Experts have recommended standardizing security to provide only adequate levels; therefore, we must consider this expenditure as well.

¶ 17 Based on the Police threat assessment, security has been reviewed and certain adjustments made. Those claiming insufficiency are not guided by public interest, but by an inability to give up using national wealth for personal comfort. Why are such large numbers of military personnel needed? Some have even been used for taking care of pet dogs — feeding, walking, and taking them to hospital — as widely known.

¶ 18 We will act according to the public mandate. From next week, all tri‑forces personnel assigned to former Presidents — other than police security — will be withdrawn from security and ancillary duties. Thereafter, every six months, security will be reassessed and adjusted accordingly. By doing so, approximately Rs. 1,200 million can be saved annually.

¶ 19 As per Police security experts’ decisions, the following have been determined: - Mahinda Rajapaksa: 60 police officers; 1 Police vehicle; 3 vehicles from Presidential Secretariat. - Maithripala Sirisena: 60 police officers; 1 Police vehicle; 3 vehicles from Presidential Secretariat. - Gotabaya Rajapaksa: 22 police officers; 1 Police vehicle; 3 vehicles from Presidential Secretariat. - Ranil Wickremesinghe: 60 police officers; 1 Police vehicle; 3 vehicles from Presidential Secretariat. - Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga: 60 police officers; 1 Police vehicle; 3 vehicles from Presidential Secretariat. - Hema Premadasa: 10 police officers; 1 Police vehicle; 2 vehicles from Presidential Secretariat.

¶ 20 Our aim is not only the security of former Presidents, but the security of all the people of this country. We are committed to that.