Seven special petitions regarding the Former Presidents’ Entitlements (Abolition) Bill were heard today before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justices Achala Vengappuli and Sampath Abeykoon.
Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, appearing for the Attorney General, told the court that the Bill does not intend to constitutionally abolish the pensions of former Presidents and their widows.
Instead, the Solicitor General explained that the proposed new bill only seeks to limit certain additional privileges granted by the Presidential Rights Act No. 4 of 1986.