• Govt. requests return

Former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa currently retain a total of 19 official vehicles, despite recent efforts by the Government to reclaim the excess.

According to the Government Information Department, 11 vehicles remain under the custody of Wickremesinghe, while Rajapaksa retains eight out of the 16 he had initially been provided. 

The Government has formally requested both former leaders to return the additional vehicles in their possession.

The request was made under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No.4 of 1986, which stipulates the official facilities, including transport, that can be provided to a former president. 

Section 3(2) of the act specifies that former presidents are entitled to receive transport and other facilities equivalent to those of a Cabinet minister.

In addition, guidelines issued by former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga in a letter dated 14 May 2010 state that a maximum of three vehicles, including motor vehicles, SUVs, and double cabs, are permitted for ministers and deputy ministers.

Director General of Information H.S.K.J. Bandara confirmed that no changes had been made to the official entitlements granted to former presidents. “The official entitlements for former presidents have not been withdrawn,” he reiterated, clarifying the status of ongoing provisions.