Pursuant to Article 121(1) of the Constitution, the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (09) notified Parliament of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the “Revocation of Former Presidents’ Privileges” Bill, which had been challenged before the Court.
The Supreme Court determined that the bill does not contravene any constitutional provisions and may be passed by a parliamentary majority. Furthermore, the petitioner had failed to comply with the mandatory procedures outlined in Article 121(1) when seeking judicial intervention, leading the Court to dismiss the petition (SC/SD/29/2025).
The National People’s Power party, during the previous presidential election, pledged to revoke the privileges of retired presidents and parliamentary ministers once in office. Following his election as President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake submitted the relevant proposal to the Cabinet. A committee, chaired by President Dissanayake, was subsequently appointed to determine the legal procedures required for this revocation.
At the recent Cabinet meeting, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that the “Revocation of Former Presidents’ Privileges” Bill will be presented to Parliament.
Privileges to be Revoked
The following privileges will cease from the date the Act comes into effect and will no longer be provided or paid:
- Any residence or monthly allowance provided to a former president or their spouse;
- Any monthly secretarial allowance, official transport, and other facilities provided to a former president or their spouse; and
- Any monthly pension paid to the spouse of a former president.
Who Will Lose the Privileges?
If the new bill is passed by Parliament, the privileges currently enjoyed by living retired presidents and the spouses of deceased retired presidents will no longer be granted.
Sri Lanka’s first executive president, J.R. Jayewardene, and the third executive president, D.B. Wijetunga, along with their spouses, are no longer alive.
Hema Premadasa, the widow of Ranasinghe Premadasa (who served as the second executive president), is still alive, and if the bill is passed, she could lose these privileges.
Similarly, the living former presidents—Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Ranil Wickremesinghe—will also lose all such privileges if the new bill is approved by Parliament.
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