Pricey jet-set life of ex-Presidents

Friday, 28 February 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya says highest expenditure was recorded under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa with international visits from 2010-2014 costing Rs. 3.57 b
Opines 2013 under MR was most expensive in the given period, costing over Rs. 1.14 b
Asserts current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has spent only
Rs. 1.8 m for international engagements — most striking contrast of all in travel costs since 2010

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday disclosed to Parliament the total expenditure incurred by the State on foreign trips undertaken by the former Presidents.

The figures spanning from 2010 to 2025 provide a revealing insight into the financial burden of Presidential travel on public funds.

According to the data presented, the highest expenditure was recorded under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose international visits from 2010 to 2014 cost the State a staggering Rs. 3.57 billion (Rs. 3,572 million). The peak was in 2013, when his trips alone amounted to over Rs. 1.14 billion (Rs. 1,144 million) — the most expensive year of Presidential travel in the given period.

As per Prime Minister’s breakdown of foreign expenses, Rajapaksa’s successor, ex-President Maithripala Sirisena (2015-2019), significantly reduced travel costs spending Rs. 384 million over his tenure.

Thereafter, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who served from 2020-2022, further lowered the expenditure to Rs. 126 million, possibly influenced by global travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, a shift was noted with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose foreign visits in just two years (2022-2024) amounted to Rs. 533 million — exceeding the total spent by his two immediate predecessors combined.

Dr. Amarasuriaya pointed out that the most striking contrast of all was observed in travel costs of current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

“Since taking office in September 2024, the State has spent only Rs. 1.8 million on international visits, a stark reduction compared to his predecessors,” she added.

President Dissanayake has only undertaken three official State visits so far to India, China and UAE.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of responsible spending and noted that while the Government continues to engage in international diplomacy, it does so without unnecessarily burdening public funds.

“We have also taken foreign trips to represent Sri Lanka, but not by burdening excessive public expenditure. We are mindful of the careful financial management, while attending these international engagements,” she said.

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