Nipun Samaratunga

වෙන්න ඔනි කොහොමද, ඒ විදිහට වෙන්න කියලා ප්‍රාර්ථනා කරනවා සියලු දෙනාට🫶🏼

සාමය හා සතුට සපිරි සෞභාග්‍යමත් සුභම සුභ සිංහල හා හින්දු අලුත් අවුරුද්දක් වේවා! 🌞🙏🏻

SriLankaNewYear AvuruduVibes NewYearSriLanka AluthAvurudda HappyNewYearLK

Happy New Year 2026!
Here’s to a year of new beginnings, bold action, and positive change. Let’s keep working together for a stronger tomorrow.

10.00PM - Bail Refused and Remanded

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been remanded until 26th August following his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The allegation concerns Rs. 16.6 million spent on a visit to London in September 2023 to attend the conferring of an Honorary PhD on his wife at the University of Wolverhampton. It must be clearly noted that Ranil Wickremesinghe himself was separately invited in his official capacity as the President of Sri Lanka through official channels. Furthermore, the Auditor General has already reviewed and cleared the expenditure for that period, confirming there was no financial irregularity.

This is the first time in Sri Lanka’s history that a former President has been arrested, and such an act sets a deeply troubling precedent. Arresting a Head of State, past or present, diminishes the dignity of the Presidency and undermines respect for democratic institutions.

It is evident that this is a politically motivated action by the present government, pursued without respect for due process, established facts, or the long-term consequences for our nation’s democratic framework. History will judge these actions harshly, and the legacy of those who undermined the rule of law will be remembered with disapproval.

Contents of the Draft Bill for the Repeal of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986

A Bill

to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, and to provide for the termination of special benefits extended to former Presidents and their families, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

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Preamble

WHEREAS it has become necessary in the public interest to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, and to bring an end to the statutory provision of special privileges and benefits to former Presidents and their families:

BE it therefore enacted by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as follows:

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1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, No. __ of 2025.

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2. Repeal of Act No. 4 of 1986

The Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, is hereby repealed.

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3. Cessation of Benefits

Upon the coming into operation of this Act:
• (a) All statutory entitlements, privileges, and benefits previously granted to former Presidents under the repealed Act shall cease to have legal effect.
• (b) This includes, but is not limited to:
• State-sponsored official residences;
• State-provided vehicles and transport services;
• Personal staff and secretarial assistance;
• Travel allowances and other recurring payments or facilities;
• Security services beyond those required under national security assessments.

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4. Transitional Provisions
• (a) Any assets currently in use under the repealed Act shall be returned to the State within a period of three (3) months from the commencement of this Act.
• (b) The Secretary to the President, in consultation with the Ministry of Public Administration, shall oversee and report on the implementation of such transfers.

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5. Savings Clause

Nothing in this Act shall affect:
• (a) Any pension or gratuity to which a former President is entitled under the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;
• (b) Security arrangements provided based on official risk assessments by the Ministry of Defence.

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6. Interpretation

In this Act:
• “Former President” means a person who has held office as President under Article 30 of the Constitution;
• “Family” shall include the spouse and dependent children of a former President, insofar as they were beneficiaries of the repealed Act.

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7. Effective Date

This Act shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may appoint by Order published in the Gazette.

පින්බර ඇසල පොහෝ දිනක් වේවා...
Nipun Samaratunga

ලොව සියළු සිත් සතන්, දහම් සිසිලෙන් නිවී සැනහේවා
ඔබ සැමට පිංබර පොසොන් මංගල්‍යක් වේවා...