Perks of power

SRI LANKAN politicians enjoy a deeply-entrenched culture of entitlement. In fact the power and perks are possibly the key attraction for many who enter politics and the latter is exaggerated to an almost ludicrous degree while the politicians are in power.

A large personal staff, security staff, a convoy of plush vehicles, free reign to disburse public funds, free trips, subsidised housing and even cheap delicious food from an impressive Parliament canteen are standards of the job. In fact the recent furore over duty free vehicle permits was triggered when the original Budget proposal to abolish the system was circumvented for the benefit of Members of Parliament, sparking the ire of other public servants including doctors who protested the double standards.

Vehicle convoys belonging to the powerful have become a menace, with them being even exempted from the rigorous lane discipline implemented by the authorities that have landed nearly 1,000 drivers before the courts of law. While the situation has improved marginally since the new National Government came into power, the perks cannot be pushed back as no politician will voluntarily reduce their own perks. Therefore the duty is usually entrusted to Budget oversight committees in other countries where a different branch of Government will ensure transparency. Indeed when it comes to perks the Government has long lost the moral high ground.

With former President Mahinda Rajapaksa now sitting in the Opposition ranks, a review was done of his retirement perks and these were found to be higher than former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s. This then resulted in a sparring contest between Rajapaksa’s office and the Government.

Under Budget 2016 President Rajapaksa has been allocated Rs. 4.17 million as retirement benefits in 2016, while President Kumaratunga has been allocated Rs. 3.3 million for 2016. In addition to this, both former Presidents have been allocated Rs. 500,000 each for capital expenditure. The Government promptly called for Kumaratunga’s retirement package to be increased on par with Rajapaksa’s.

Meanwhile, Hema Premadasa, wife of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, has been allocated Rs. 275,000 as retirement benefits for 2016, while being granted Rs. 400,000 for capital expenditure. In total, Government has allocated a sum of Rs. 9.345 million to the former Presidents and the spouse of a former President, for 2016.

This is in gross contrast to the rest of the population. According to the World Bank Sri Lanka’s per capita income for 2014 was just $3,400 or at current exchange rates about Rs. 476,000. To put this in perspective it equates to just Rs. 39,667 per month, which means the former Presidents enjoy 10 times the salary and perks of average Sri Lankans. When it comes to retirement benefits the statistics are even worse, with only 60% of retirees having access to any form of pension during their twilight years.

Adding to public disbelief, Rajapaksa’s office released a statement criticising attempts to reduce his security, pointing out the former President has “only 102” security personnel deployed. Rajapaksa’s officials insist security must be continued due to release of political prisoners as they pose a threat to the security of the former President. These forms of unjustified and unauthenticated claims would be hilarious if taxpayers did not have to foot the bill. Salaries, allowances and perks of all politicians demand closer scrutiny if good governance is ever to be achieved.