The Presidential Secretariat will no longer pay the utility bills of the official residences of former presidents.
This was intimated, when the chief of staff of an ex-president sent the electricity, water and telephone bills for last month to the Presidential Secretariat today (24).
This comes as per advice by the attorney general, who had been consulted about the privileges and allowances entitled to by former heads of state.
Citing a verdict given by the then chief justice Sarath N. Silva in a case in connection with payments to ex-president Chandrika Kumaratunga, the AG’s Department informed the state will maintain the official residences and vehicles while paying a fuel allowance only.
