Ex-President Mahinda contests Govt. claims on official vehicle allocations

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s media unit on Saturday issued a statement contesting recent claims by the Government Information Department regarding the number of vehicles allocated for his use and security purposes. 

The statement called the figures released by the Department inaccurate, asserting that they do not reflect the actual number of vehicles in his possession.

According to the media unit, Rajapaksa currently uses six vehicles, three of which are scheduled to be returned today (21), following written instructions from the Presidential Secretariat. 

It also pointed out that Rajapaksa, who served as the fifth Executive President of Sri Lanka, is the most threatened past leader in terms of assessment by the intelligence authorities, and that these vehicles were used for his security.

In response, Government Information Department Director General H.S.K.J. Bandara clarified in a separate statement that the privileges provided to former Presidents remain intact and have not been withdrawn. 

The statement reiterated that perks and vehicles allocated to former Presidents are in accordance with the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986.

The Government Information Department’s statement noted that a request had been made to both Ex-Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe to return additional vehicles. It also added that former President Rajapaksa has so far returned eight out of 16 vehicles allocated to him, while former President Ranil Wickremesinghe retains 11 vehicles.