Presidential expenditure on downward trajectory: Rajitha

UNP MP and Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said President Sirisena had reduced the allocation for the President from Rs. 4.4 billion in 2014 to 1.7 billion in 2015.

Senaratne told Parliament during the opening stage of the third reading of the budget yesterday that President Sirisena’s changes were not unlike the revolution SLFP founder S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike had created in the country.

Senaratne said that the capital expenditure allocation for President Rajapaksa was R. 5.1 billion in 2014. However he said that in 2015, Rs.842 million had been allocated for President Sirisena and for 2016, the sum had been reduced further to Rs 643 million.

Joining the debate to praise the President, Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara said President Sirisena was the simplest out of all leaders.

 “President Rajapaks was allocated 62% of the entire Budget in 2014. In 2016 President Sirisena has control over 12% of the total Budget. This is the correct way to go forward,” he noted.

He praised the President for bringing a proposal to the Cabinet to reduce his powers and abolish executive Presidency. “He has made it clear to the country of the intention to step down after 2020 by allowing the Parliament to take over. We have passed an era of suppression and corruption,” Jayasekara said.