Ranil Wickremesinghe against removing Former Presidents Privileges

During his speech, Wickremesinghe highlighted the ongoing removal of presidential residences and stated, “I don’t have a problem with this; I don’t live in a residence.” He questioned the rationale behind targeting former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, saying, “Why are they chasing after Chandrika? Just let her be in that house.” He underscored his belief in protecting all former leaders, particularly Mahinda Rajapaksa, who played a significant role in ending the civil war.

Wickremesinghe remarked, “If Mahinda Rajapaksa requires security for himself... think about it,” indicating that genuine security concerns should be taken seriously and addressed appropriately. He further stated, “Remove all the privileges provided for me; give them to others.” 

In his address, he also mentioned discussions about potential salary increases for the public sector, asserting that he supports such measures and believes they should be implemented. Wickremesinghe concluded by urging the government to ensure the protection of Parliament, reiterating the need for stability and safety for all political leaders.