The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, today’s Committee Stage debate is on major institutions including the Heads of Expenditure for the President, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Independent Commissions. The Hon. Leader of the Opposition alleged politicization of Public Security Committees; I will answer during the debate on the Ministry of Public Security on the 18th. Today we are on the main institutional heads.

¶ 02 Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a point regarding the President’s Vote. In 2024, under Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rs. 40 billion was allocated, with total expenditure at Rs. 258 billion. For 2025, the President’s Head is Rs. 9 billion: Rs. 6 billion for the Clean Sri Lanka program, Rs. 1 billion for research, and the rest for salaries. For 2026, Rs. 11.3 billion is allocated: Rs. 6.5 billion for Clean Sri Lanka, Rs. 1.2 billion for research and development, with the balance for salaries.

¶ 03 It was said the President traveled with 24 vehicles. Had the Hon. Member waited a few more minutes, he could have counted 200–300, because the fleet is actually far fewer than he claimed; President Anura Dissanayake uses a very limited convoy. That statement was incorrect.

¶ 04 We have set an unprecedented example. Beyond income and spending numbers, leadership matters. Since President Anura Dissanayake assumed office, economic stabilization and political stability have advanced, and a powerful example has been set—something that cannot be easily quantified in rupees: rule of law has been asserted; divisive ethno-religious politics and links to organized crime and narcotics that marred prior presidencies are being dismantled.

¶ 05 Under the previous President, Rs. 40 billion was allocated with Rs. 7,500 million tagged for “research and development,” but nothing tangible resulted. In contrast, we have cut waste. President Anura Dissanayake has only five advisers, all serving voluntarily, compared with 39 advisers previously—many were defeated political candidates—costing crores in salaries, fuel, and perks. Coordination secretaries then numbered 29; now there is one. We have reduced staff and costs while improving efficiency.

¶ 06 Specifically, comparing the first nine months of 2024 with 2025, the President’s Office expenditure is down by 58 percent. Staff of the Presidential Secretariat reduced from 1,252 (Sept 2024) to 803 (Sept 2025)—a reduction of 449 staff and 36 percent in costs—without loss of functionality. Adviser costs are down 84 percent; local and foreign travel down 83 percent; stationery and fuel down 69 percent; fuel alone down 67 percent; vehicle spares/building maintenance down 32 percent; removing 10 unnecessary buildings saved Rs. 100 million; services/utilities/rents down 53 percent; capital repairs/vehicles down 36 percent. Monthly savings at the Secretariat amount to Rs. 27.54 million; in 2024 we saved Rs. 2,984.82 million relative to prior patterns.

¶ 07 We have decentralized the President’s Fund, historically Colombo-centric since 1978, to 341 Divisional Secretariats from 07 February 2025 using digital systems—expanding access, transparency, and reducing costs/time. The Fund’s income has grown from Rs. 10 billion to Rs. 12 billion. We launched special projects: education support for children from families affected by human-elephant conflict; Rs. 100,000 grants and certificates to students excelling at A/Ls; assistance to families of migrant workers affected by emergencies; greatly increased medical assistance—Rs. 4.3 billion disbursed in the last ten months.

¶ 08 Under Clean Sri Lanka, 52 projects commenced: improving accessibility for persons with disabilities; sanitation facilities; rehabilitation for drug dependents; modernization of Colombo Central Bus Stand; coastal parks; modern solid-waste facilities for local authorities; dengue eradication; food security; and road safety. These are for national well-being, not personal benefit.

¶ 09 No rupee from the President’s Head is used for personal purposes. We have achieved major reductions in recurrent expenditure from Rs. 5,064.4 million (2025 estimates) to Rs. 399.9 million (2026 estimates) under specific lines through cutting waste while maintaining service quality. Whatever the Opposition says, we will continue to act for the people’s welfare under the President’s leadership. Thank you.