The bill to reduce the privileges granted to former presidents was recently gazetted, prompting former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe to join forces in opposition, according to a report by the Sunday Times.
The two leaders have reportedly held discussions with a group of legal experts in response to the proposed legislation.
If passed, the bill would eliminate all state-funded privileges currently enjoyed by former presidents, except for their pensions. This includes the removal of retirement allowances granted to their spouses upon the former presidents’ death.
The newly formed Sirisena-Wickremesinghe alliance—dubbed the “Ranil-Maithri Coalition”—has resolved to challenge the bill in the Supreme Court. Ahead of this, a report is to be compiled detailing the retirement benefits afforded to former heads of state in other countries across the region.
The proposed cuts align with an election pledge made by the current government led by the National People’s Force (NPP).
