Cabinet Spokesman reveals over Rs. 1.2 b compensation payouts to 43 former MPs

 Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

• Accuses former MPs of exploiting their influence to secure payouts that far exceeded standard compensation limits
• Says even in cases of total property destruction due to natural disasters maximum compensation is capped at Rs. 2.5 m; yet, 43 former MPs received sums exponentially higher than this limit
• Points to it as clear case of those that were in power taking advantage of system, while ordinary citizens struggle to receive even most basic relief 
• Asserts no coalition of political parties can stop the Govt.’s efforts toward system change

By Charumini de Silva

The Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday revealed to the Parliament of 43 former Government MPs who received a staggering over Rs. 1.22 billion (over Rs. 1,224 million) in compensation for property damage incurred during the 2022 Aragalaya protest.

The disclosure which included a detailed list of compensation amounts received by individual MPs reignited the debate over power abuse and financial mismanagement by the former administration amidst the worst financial crisis the country faced post-independence.

Dr. Jayatissa made this revelation in response to a query posed by Opposition MP Nalin Bandara and said some of these compensations were paid using the President’s Fund. 

He accused former MPs of exploiting their influence to secure payouts that far exceeded standard compensation limits.

“Under existing disaster relief policies, even in cases of total property destruction due to natural disasters, the maximum compensation is capped at Rs. 2.5 million. Yet, 43 former MPs received sums exponentially higher than this limit,” Dr. Jayatissa said. 

The Minister also charged that the former Parliamentarians pressured Divisional and District Secretaries into overestimating compensation claims.

“This is a clear case of those that were in power taking advantage of the system, while ordinary citizens struggle to receive even the most basic relief,” he told the Parliament.

Among the highest beneficiaries included; former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who received Rs. 95.9 million, former SLPP Government Whip Johnston Fernando who received compensation over Rs. 93.4 million and former MP Gamini Lokuge who were compensated Rs. 74.9 million. 

Following is the list of MPs and compensations amounts (from highest to the lowest): 

1. Keheliya Rambukwella –   Rs. 95.9 million

2. Johnston Fernando 

– Rs. 93.4 million

3. Gamini Lokuge – 

Rs. 74.9  million

4. Ali Sabri Raheem – 

Rs. 70.9 million

5.Nimal Lanza – 

Rs. 69.2  million

6. Mohan De Silva – 

Rs. 60.1 million

7. Kokila Gunawardena – Rs. 58.7 million 

8. Prasanna Ranatunga – Rs. 56.1 million

9. Sumith Udukumbura – Rs. 55.9 million 

10. Arundika Fernando – Rs. 55.2 million

11.Siripala Gamlath – 

Rs. 50.9 million

12. Sanath Nishantha – 

   Rs. 42.7 million

13.S. M. Chandrasena – 

   Rs. 43.8 million

14.Shantha Bandara – 

   Rs. 39.1 million

15.W. D. Weerasingha – 

  Rs. 37.2 million

16. Prasanna Ranaweera –          Rs. 32.7 million

17. D. B. Herath – Rs. 32.1        million

18.Kanaka Herath – 

   Rs. 29.2 million

19. Duminda Dissanayake –    Rs. 28.8 million

20. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana –          Rs. 28.1 million 

21.Milan Jayathilaka – 

   Rs.  22.3 million

22.Indika Anuruddha – 

   Rs. 19.55 million 

23. Shehan Semasinghe –       Rs. 18.51 million

24.Sahan Pradeep – 

    Rs. 17.13 million

25. Dr. Seetha Arambepola –     Rs. 13.78 million

26.Rohitha Abeygunawardhana – 

Rs. 11.64 million

27.Janaka Bandara Tennakoon –  Rs. 10.55 million 

28. Samanpriya Herath –         Rs. 10.52 million

29.Ashoka Priyantha – 

   Rs. 7.29 million  

30. Chandima Weerakkody –      Rs. 6.94 million  

31.Chamal Rajapaksa – 

   Rs.6.53 million

32.Akila Ellawala – 

 Rs. 3.55 million 

33.Prof. Channa Jayasumana –   Rs. 3.33 million 

34. Wimal Weerawansa – Rs.   2.95 million

35. Jayantha Ketagoda – 

    Rs. 2.81 million      

36. Sampath Athukorala –          Rs. 2.54 million

37. Piyankara Jayaratne –           Rs. 2.34 million 

38. Premnath C. Dolawatte –     Rs. 2.3 million

39. Gunapala Rathnasekara – 

   Rs. 1.41 million

40.Janaka Thissakuttiarachchi  –  Rs. 1.14 million

41. Geetha Kumarasinghe –     Rs. 972,000      

42.Wimalaweera   Dissanayake – Rs. 550,000

43.Kapila Nuwan Athukorala – Rs. 504,000 

The 2022 Aragalaya protests driven by public frustration over economic mismanagement and Government corruption led to the resignation of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The protests saw widespread unrest, including the burning of properties belonging to politicians. 

Dr. Jayatissa asserted that no coalition of political parties can stop the Government’s efforts towards a system change. “We are aware of the discussions happening even inside the Parliamentary premises. It is not to support our work, but to sabotage our efforts because all are part of this corrupt system, which put the country down through power abuse, corruption and financial mismanagement,” he said.