Court in Sri Lanka paves path for ex-leaders to relinquish privileges

In a significant move towards imposing official austerity, the Sri Lankan government has tabled a bill to strip former presidents of their luxury cars, bodyguards, and pensions. The bill, which aims to address the country's worst-ever economic crisis, has received the approval of the Supreme Court, paving the way for its passage in the Parliament.

The bill comes as a response to the extravagant lifestyle of former leaders, with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forefront. Rajapaksa, who ruled Sri Lanka for a decade until 2015 and again from November 2019 to July 2022, has refused to vacate a ritzy home in Colombo despite repeated requests.

The Supreme Court has ruled to evict former presidents from their stately mansions, including Rajapaksa's residence. The estimated monthly rental value of Rajapaksa's residence is 4.6 million rupees, more than 150 times his official entitlement. In 2021, as prime minister, Rajapaksa spent 800 million rupees ($2.7 million) of public funds on refurbishing his residence.

Rajapaksa's security detail was reduced to 60 and his fleet to three vehicles, including a Mercedes-Maybach and a high-end SUV. The security of the two Rajapaksa brothers alone cost the state more than a billion rupees last year, according to government figures.

The government's decision to reduce the number of security personnel assigned to former leaders has saved more than 1.2 billion rupees annually for taxpayers. Other former presidents, such as Chandrika Kumaratunga and Maithripala Sirisena, are living in government housing in Colombo's upmarket diplomatic quarter.

Former leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa, another petitioner against the bill, moved out of a state bungalow after his resignation over allegations of economic mismanagement and corruption. There was no immediate comment from Rajapaksa, but an aide told AFP that he would most likely vacate the residence.

Many of the residences were built during British colonial rule for senior civil servants from London. The bill's passage is expected to mark a significant step towards addressing Sri Lanka's economic crisis and promoting transparency and accountability in government.