Mahinda top on Foreign Travel Expenditure

During a recent parliamentary session on February 27, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya disclosed the total expenditure incurred by former Presidents of Sri Lanka on foreign trips. This revelation brings attention to the significant financial burden placed on the state due to presidential travel over the years.

The figures presented by the Prime Minister offer a clear breakdown of the costs associated with each former President’s international visits. According to the data, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who served as President from 2010 to 2014, recorded the highest expenditure, amounting to Rs. 3,572 million. Following him, Maithripala Sirisena (2015–2019) spent Rs. 384 million, while Gotabaya Rajapaksa (2020–2022) incurred Rs. 126 million. The current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been in office from 2023 to 2024, has already spent Rs. 533 million on foreign trips. In stark contrast, the most recent President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who assumed office in September 2024, has only spent Rs. 1.8 million as of February 2025.

One of the most striking revelations in the report was that the highest expenditure on foreign travel within the 2010–2025 period occurred in 2013 under Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency. That year alone, his trips cost the state Rs. 1,144 million, a staggering amount compared to the expenditures of other leaders.

These figures raise important questions about government spending priorities and the necessity of such extensive travel by state leaders. While diplomatic visits and international engagements are essential, the vast differences in expenditure among different Presidents suggest varying approaches to fiscal responsibility. The significant reduction in costs under President Dissanayake’s administration could indicate a shift toward more prudent financial management.

The disclosure of these expenses provides valuable insight into the financial responsibilities associated with governing a nation. It also underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in state spending, ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently for the benefit of the country.

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