Speaking at a media briefing held at the Amari Hotel Colombo on 11 March 2026, Peiris said the ongoing debate in the country about distinguishing between a President’s official functions and private activities is based on a misconception.
He said that once a President takes the oath of office, the individual remains President at all times while holding that position.
“There is a debate in this country today about whether there is a distinction between the official duties of a President and his private duties. It is a complete myth. There is no such distinction at all. This is a distinction that we have created in our minds,” he said.
Peiris explained that during the entire period in office, the state has an obligation to ensure the President’s security regardless of where the President is or what activity he is engaged in.
According to him, this responsibility applies whether the President is in the country or abroad and regardless of whether the activity is official, personal, or ceremonial.
He also pointed out that several arrangements connected to presidential security, including transportation, cannot be separated from the office.
