Parliament is set to take up the second reading debate on the Presidential Entitlements Abolition Bill, which seeks to remove privileges afforded to former Presidents, today (10).
The debate is scheduled to take place from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., under the chairmanship of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The decision was reached during the Committee on Parliamentary Business held yesterday.
Announcing the Supreme Court’s determination on the Bill to Parliament yesterday, the Speaker stated that none of its provisions were found to be inconsistent with the Constitution. Accordingly, the Bill may be passed by a simple majority.
The Bill, presented to Parliament recently by Minister of Justice Harsha Nanayakkara, proposes the withdrawal of state-provided benefits for former Presidents or their widows. These include the use of state-provided residences, monthly allowances, secretarial allowances, official transport facilities, and all other associated privileges.
If enacted, the legislation would bring an end to all such entitlements currently extended to former Presidents and their spouses.
