Mahinda has 111-Person Support Staff ; Gota Has 60+

Colombo (News 1st); Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated that the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill has no impact on the security arrangements provided to retired Presidents.

Speaking in Parliament, the Minister emphasized that security for former heads of state is managed separately and remains intact.

He added that any individual with concerns regarding their safety can submit a request to the Security Risk Committee, which is responsible for evaluating and providing necessary protection.

Wijepala detailed the extensive support provided to former Presidents, citing that Mahinda Rajapaksa was assigned 111 personnel, including:

9 medical staff
8 drivers
2 clerks
5 mechanical staff
1 naval aide
46 special operations personnel
16 chefs
26 electricians
4 civil engineers
4 technical engineers
2 storekeepers
3 physical trainers
1 carpenter
1 dog handler

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, he added, was provided with 60+ personnel, including:

3 medical assistants
1 maintenance technician
6 drivers
5 clerks
8 security officers
13 support staff
8 chefs
3 technical specialists
1 fitness trainer
6 special professionals
1 dog handler

The Minister also revealed that under the entitlements law, the government spent Rs. 98.5 million in 2024 on benefits for retired Presidents and their widows. The breakdown includes:

Hema Premadasa – Rs. 2.687 million
Chandrika Kumaratunga – Rs. 16.43 million
Mahinda Rajapaksa – Rs. 54.62 million
Maithripala Sirisena – Rs. 15.77 million
Gotabaya Rajapaksa – Rs. 12.28 million
Ranil Wickremesinghe – Rs. 3.49 million