Welcome break from politics of entitlement

LAST week's repeal of the Presidents' Entitlements Act of 1986 marks an important symbolic milestone in our political culture.

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That law, for nearly four decades, guaranteed former heads of state and even their widows, lavish privileges at the taxpayers' expense. These included a State-funded residence or allowance, secretarial support, official transport, and a monthly pension. It was a generous package in a country where millions struggle to afford basic necessities.

Unsurprisingly, the move has drawn sharp criticism. Some see it as a targeted attempt to humiliate former leaders, particularly Mahinda Rajapaksa. Ever the master of political theatre, Rajapaksa made a dramatic show of leaving his State-funded Colombo residence, presenting himself as a victim of political vindictiveness. His loyalists echo this narrative, portraying the repeal as a personal vendetta rather than a principled stand. Yet, reducing the matter to partisan grievance is to miss the larger point.