In a recent report, police headquarters revealed that the annual cost of maintaining basic security for former presidents now exceeds Rs. 1.1 billion. These expenses cover a range of needs, from police personnel to transportation, accommodation, fuel, and utilities.
According to the report, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s annual security expenses amount to Rs. 98 million, with eight vehicles at her disposal, including two jeeps, five motorcycles, and a car. Her monthly expenses on various allowances reach nearly Rs. 1.7 million.
The report also highlighted the security costs for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has 187 officers assigned to him. His monthly fuel expenses alone cost Rs. 822,529, and the total monthly police expenses for his security exceed Rs. 2.5 million.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena’s security costs the police approximately Rs. 185 million annually, with 113 officers, 12 vehicles, and a monthly fuel expense of Rs. 801,250. Fuel requirements include 2,000 liters of diesel, 500 liters of petrol, and 250 liters of super diesel.
For former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, police expenditure totals Rs. 391 million each year. He is allocated three vehicles and incurs monthly fuel costs of Rs. 1,831,750 for 400 liters of diesel and 200 liters of petrol. A team of 22 police officers has been deployed for his security.
The widow of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Hema Premadasa, incurs a total police cost of Rs. 298 million annually. She is provided a jeep and a motorcycle, with monthly fuel expenses amounting to Rs. 83,672, and 17 police officers assigned to her security.
The report also notes that the security expenses for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe are estimated to be among the highest after those of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Wickremesinghe is allocated two jeeps and 510 liters of diesel each month, with a monthly fuel cost of Rs. 144,330. A total of 151 officers are assigned to him, and the estimated annual cost for his security alone is expected to exceed Rs. 250 million, bringing his monthly police expenses above Rs. 20 million.
Overall, the report indicates that the police spend roughly Rs. 1.1 billion annually to protect the six former presidents, an amount that almost matches the Rs. 1.5 billion allocated for healthcare for the entire 100,000-member police force. Notably, this expenditure represents only the amount borne by the police force and does not include additional security costs provided by the tri-forces.
