Wed Sep 10 15:55:10 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, formatted for general consumption:
**Sri Lanka Cuts Perks for Former Presidents in Anti-Corruption Push**
**COLOMBO, September 10, 2025** – In a decisive move against corruption and excessive government spending, the Sri Lankan Parliament overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act of 1986. The repeal will strip former presidents and their widows of state-funded privileges, including residences, monthly allowances, official transport, secretarial support, and widows’ pensions.
The ruling National People’s Power coalition, which enjoys a two-thirds majority, successfully passed the bill after the Supreme Court determined it did not violate the constitution and could be enacted with a simple majority.
“We are repealing the 1986 Act to save taxpayers’ money,” Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament.
The new law immediately impacts Sri Lanka’s five living former presidents: Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and current President Ranil Wickremesinghe (due to prior term), as well as Hema Premadasa, the wife of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa.
Local media reports indicate that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa may soon be vacating his state-provided mansion as a result of the legislation. The move is seen as a significant step in fulfilling the ruling party’s campaign promises to combat corruption and streamline government expenses.
First Piper 