Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill passed in Parliament

Thursday, 11 September 2025 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Speaker of the House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsing the certification on the Bill yesterday

The Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament yesterday by a majority of 150 votes.

The debate on the second reading of the Bill began at 11:30 a.m. yesterday and was followed by a second reading vote at around 3:30 p.m., where a total of 151 MPs voted in favour, while New Democratic Front (NDF) MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake voted against it.

Subsequently, the Bill proceeded to the third reading or the Committee stage. Following the Committee stage, the Speaker announced that the bill has been approved without amendments in Parliament.

This Bill, which was presented to Parliament on 7 August by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, is a Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986.

Accordingly, any residence provided to, or monthly allowance paid to, a former President or the widow of a former President in terms of the provisions of Section 2 of the repealed Act; monthly secretarial allowance paid to, and official transport and such other facilities provided to, a former President or the widow of a former President in terms of the provisions of Section 3 of the repealed Act; and monthly pension paid to the widow of a former President in terms of the provisions of Section 4 of the repealed Act, will be abolished.

Meanwhile, the Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certification on the Bill yesterday. Accordingly, this Bill will come into force as the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, No. 18 of 2025.