JVP condemns President’s move to retain official residence after retirement

• Says Cabinet decision in violation of 2007 SC ruling
• SC said ex-Presidents can only have entitlements under provisions of Entitlement Act No. 4 of 1986
• JVP MP says people must not be asked to pay for retirement benefits

The JVP said yesterday that the Cabinet decision to allow President Maithripala Sirisena to retain his official residence after retirement is in violation of a 2007 Supreme Court ruling, and should be challenged in Court.

“The public of those country should not pay to maintain the President after his retirement. The SC has clearly said this, but the Cabinet has ignored the Court ruling and taken this action,” JVP MP Vijitha Herath told reporters at a press briefing.

In a judgment related to retirement benefits given to former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga by a Cabinet decision in 2005, the SC held that Kumaratunga had secured the benefits and advantages in the purported exercise of executive power in breach of the provisions of the President’s Entitlement Act No. 4 of 1986.

The JVP MP said that the Cabinet decision last month to allow President Sirisena to occupy his official residence at Mahagama Sekera Mawatha (Paget Road) in Colombo was in breach of the SC ruling.

“This President said he will go to Polonnaruwa and start farming after retirement, and then arranges to occupy his official residence permanently. We strongly condemn this move,” he said.

The JVP MP also condemned the allocation of over Rs 4.39 billion from the Vote on Account for expenses related to the Office of the President. “Both the UNP and the UPFA approved this payment without any shame. Why does the President’s Office need so much money for four months,” he asked.

The JVP opposed the VOA passed by Parliament on Wednesday.