Ranil undertook 24 foreign trips within 22 months

16-Nov-2025

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During his tenure as President, Ranil Wickremesinghe undertook 24 foreign trips within 22 months, spending a total of 1,007.346 million rupees. 

However, the current President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has spent only 14.9 million rupees on eight foreign trips during the past year, according to Chief Government Whip and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

He made these remarks while participating in yesterday’s (Saturday) parliamentary committee-stage debate on the President’s expenditure under the 2026 Budget.

He further stated:

“Our government has passed the highest number of bills within the first year compared to governments formed after 2000. We have passed 22 bills so far. When it comes to the independent commissions, no one talks about improving them. All political groups helped introduce these independent commissions. But during political changes and when public mandates are renewed, the functioning of these commissions must be strengthened. Action plans need to be made. If the country is trying to move forward quickly, the commissions must be structured in ways that facilitate progress.

“If they serve the needs of small groups, we cannot move forward. These commissions must focus on the nation’s development.”

He continued:

“When it comes to presidential expenditure, it is usually said that a government needs vehicles, security, and foreign travel after coming into power. But when our government says these must be reduced, it is the opposition that demands them. During Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presidency, he had 39 advisers, all funded by the government. But although the current President has only five advisers, they work voluntarily without a salary. Many other expenses of the Presidential Secretariat have also been reduced.

“In the past, large sums were spent on presidential foreign trips. These costs have now been reduced. For example, Ranil Wickremesinghe made four foreign trips in 2022, taking 64 people with him, at a cost of 

129.31 million rupees. In 2023, he made 16 trips with 269 people, costing 577.9 million rupees. In 2024, he made five trips with 115 people, costing 300 million rupees. Altogether, for 24 trips in 22 months, 385 people accompanied him, and 1,007.346 million rupees were spent.

“In contrast, from December 2024 to September 2025, President Anura Kumara undertook eight foreign trips costing only 14.9 million rupees.”