The government’s plan to curtail the entitlements of former presidents has sparked differing opinions, with Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Aviation Bimal Ratnayake advocating for swift changes, while legal experts warn of constitutional and human rights implications.

Minister Ratnayake recently announced that the government would reduce the benefits granted to former presidents without requiring constitutional amendments. Referring to a Supreme Court’s ruling concerning the official residence of former President Maithripala Sirisena, he claimed that the verdict had made it clear that a sitting president did not have the authority to allocate official residences.

Stressing that former presidents should be provided with appropriate official residences, Ratnayake argued that luxurious mansions were unnecessary. He said former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be asked to vacate his current residence at Wijerama as alternative accommodation could be provided to him.

The minister added that the government was planning to amend the current Constitution to make it better reflect modern societal needs, a key promise made during the NPP’s election campaign.

However, President’s Counsel Prathiba Mahanama has cautioned against any attempt to revoke pensions or other entitlements of former presidents. He has said that under clauses 01, 02, 03, and 04 of Article 36 of the 1978 Constitution, former Presidents are entitled to pensions, which cannot be retroactively revoked.

Mahanama has further warned that any law seeking to revoke such pensions will apply only to future Presidents and not the past ones. He has emphasised that revoking pensions retroactively could be considered a violation of fundamental human rights.

The 77th Independence Day celebrations in Sri Lanka will see a scaled-down military presence, with the parade featuring 1,873 personnel—1,511 fewer than last year’s (2024) event. Armoured vehicles from the Army, Navy, and Air Force will also be absent this year, according to the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha.

The changes, aimed at streamlining the event while maintaining its core ceremonial aspects, were announced during a press conference held on Thursday (30) at the Department of Government Information.

The Navy will carry out the traditional 25-gun salute, while only three aircraft will be used in the celebrations, a significant reduction from the 19 deployed last year.

Scheduled for 4 February at Independence Square in Colombo, the event would be held under the theme “Let’s Rally for National Renaissance” (Jathika Punarudhayata Pelagasemu), Minister of Public Administration, A. H. M. H. Aberathne said.