-Lasantha Ruhunage writes
(Lanka-e-News -10.Oct.2024, 5.45 pm) Former Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who claimed responsibility for steering the Sri Lankan economy, made 24 foreign trips during his 26 months in office from July 2022 to September 2024.
In 2022, the year he assumed office, he made 4 trips abroad, followed by 16 in 2023, and another 4 in 2024. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its annual performance report submitted to Parliament, Rs. 62,178,000 was allocated for VIP trips in 2022, of which Rs. 59,020,000 was spent, accounting for 95% of the allocation.
In 2023, the allocation for VIP trips increased to Rs. 384,853,000, with Rs. 373,809,000 being spent, making up 97% of the allocated funds.
While details about the 2024 budget allocation remain unclear, records reveal that Rs. 16,825,000 was spent on flight tickets for Wickremesinghe’s trips to Switzerland and Uganda. However, his trips to Indonesia and Australia, particularly a May 2024 trip to Bali, were not included in these figures.
The report also breaks down the expenses for his 2023 trips, which included visits to the UK, Singapore, Japan, France, India, and the US. Flight costs for these trips amounted to over Rs. 61.7 million, with significant portions spent on trips to the UK for the coronation of King Charles III, and to Cuba and the US for high-level meetings.
Notably, in 2022, his trip to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral cost Rs. 5.6 million, while trips to Japan, the Philippines, and Egypt also incurred substantial flight costs.
Government officials traveling abroad are not only compensated for airfare but also receive allowances for other expenses. A circular from the Ministry of Finance outlines these compensations, including a daily allowance of up to USD 75 for trips where foreign governments do not cover in-country travel or other costs. Additional allowances are provided depending on the host country and the official’s rank.
Despite Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, allowances and provisions for these trips have largely remained intact, though a March 2023 circular reduced certain allowances by 30%. A further revision in May 2024 increased the insurance coverage for VIP travelers from Rs. 2.4 million to Rs. 15 million.
These foreign trips have raised concerns about the substantial use of public funds, with the annual allocations from the Presidential Office to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemingly aimed at maintaining the luxurious nature of these VIP travels. This has drawn public attention, especially given the frequent trips made by Wickremesinghe in a relatively short period.
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by (2024-10-10 12:51:25)
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