• Only discussion held in this regard, no final decision informed 

Although there are media reports to the effect that the Presidential Secretariat has decided not to make any financial allocation for water, electricity and telephone tariffs related to the official residences of former Presidents, the relevant departments of the Secretariat are not aware of such a decision, The Daily Morning learnt.

It was reported that the Presidential Secretariat had informed a staff member of a former President on Monday (24) that financial allocations would no longer be made for water, electricity, and telephone tariffs of former Presidents’ official residences, as per the instructions of the Attorney General's (AG) Department. The reports also read that the AG's Department, citing a judgement pertaining to the privileges of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga that was delivered during the regime of former President and incumbent Government Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa, had informed the Presidential Secretariat that former Presidents are entitled only to official residences, the maintenance of vehicles and a fuel allowance.

When contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the matter, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) stated that they had not been notified of such a decision. As an official of the PMD said that such a decision would be made by the Administrative Division of the Secretariat, The Daily Morning contacted the said Division but they did not possess knowledge of the matter. An official of the Division said that it is the Information Officer of the Secretariat who would be aware of the decision. The Information Officer of the Secretariat, Sisira Kumara Henadheera, when contacted by The Daily Morning, said that there had been a discussion on the matter, but that he was not aware of a final decision. “If such a decision has been made, it should have been made by the Administrative Division. There was a discussion about this matter, but I am not aware whether a final decision has been made.”

At present, former first lady Hema Premadasa and former Presidents Kumaratunga, Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa are entitled to the relevant privileges. In recent times, there has been strong criticism regarding the granting of privileges to politicians including former Presidents, particularly in the prevailing economic crisis.