Overview
- Parliament passed the Presidents’ Entitlement (Repeal) Bill on Sept. 10 by 151–1, immediately ending state-funded residences, vehicles, security and allowances for former presidents.
- Mahinda Rajapaksa vacated the official home in Colombo and will relocate to his family residence in Tangalle, with a formal handover of the property and state assets expected within about a week.
- The law also ends privileges for widows of former presidents and, as reported, for retired MPs, with effects including loss of pensions and withdrawal of state-provided staff and transport.
- Former presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Maithripala Sirisena are also required to leave government housing in Colombo’s diplomatic quarter.
- Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the change will save taxpayers money, while opposition figures accused the government of targeting political rivals.