AKD Questions Former President's Request for 16 Official Cooks

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has questioned the rationale behind former President Ranil Wickremesinghe's request to retain 16 cooks as part of his official entourage, drawing public attention to the scale of the staffing arrangement.

Dissanayake's remarks came amid discussions regarding the perquisites and support staff allocated to former heads of state. The current president's comment about whether Wickremesinghe was planning to open a restaurant appeared to suggest skepticism about the necessity of maintaining such a large culinary team.

The exchange highlights ongoing debates in Sri Lanka about the appropriate level of state resources devoted to former presidents and the extent of support staff deemed necessary for their post-tenure activities. Such questions have become increasingly prominent as the country continues to grapple with fiscal constraints and public scrutiny of government expenditures.

Wickremesinghe, who served as president until September 2024 before the election of Dissanayake, had sought to maintain various privileges and support systems following his departure from office. The matter underscores broader conversations about the transition of power and the practical arrangements that extend beyond the end of a presidential term.