Ranil questions Govt’s decision to strip former presidents’ privileges

October 31, 2024 at 11:26 AM

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has questioned the government’s reasoning behind removing the privileges afforded to former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge and Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was involved in the murder of Chandrika’s husband and she had also suffered an injury to an eye from a bomb blast. 

“Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge has never supported me. We have only worked together to support Maithripala Sirisena,” he said. 

Commenting on Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former President pointed out that Rajapaksa losing his popularity among the public was a different matter but his security must be taken into account, considering the fact that he had ended the war.

Ranil Wickremesinghe further urged the government to remove all of his privileges and to allow the privileges provided to others to remain. 

Warning the government not to interfere with the Parliament system, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said a referendum would be required for such matters. (Newswire)