• Questions necessity of 39 Presidential Advisers, suggesting Wickremesinghe ‘knew nothing at all’
• Claims 67 individuals held advisory roles during his tenure, many duplicating works of Ministry Secretaries
• Accuses former administration of failing to document these roles, making spending hard to justify
• Reveals Rs. 59 m spent on these advisers, who allegedly lived lavishly at taxpayers’ expense
• Contrasts with President AKD who has only three voluntary advisers at zero cost
• Mocks appointment of Ashu Marasinghe as adviser questioning why Ranil needed lessons on Parliamentary affairs as he as in Parliament when Marasinghe was still in school

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe

In a highly charged address in Parliament, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday launched a scathing attack on former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and questioning the necessity of his extensive team of advisers.

“Although it is fair for a President to have advisers because no one knows everything. But he (Wickremesinghe) had 39 Presidential Advisers — which means he knew nothing at all,” Nanayakkara claimed.

He alleged that at least 67 individuals were appointed under advisory roles during Wickremesinghe’s tenure, many under titles like ‘Director’ — despite their responsibilities overlapping with those of Ministry Secretaries.

He criticised the previous administration for failing to document these roles adequately, making it difficult to justify the millions of rupees spent on salaries and benefits.

The Justice Minister claimed that these advisers were not only unnecessary, but also lived lavishly at the taxpayers’ expense.

“A total of Rs. 59 million was spent on these advisors alone,” he revealed.

In a stark contrast, Nanayakkara highlighted President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s current approach, stating that he has only three advisors — all of whom work voluntarily without incurring any public expenditure.

Taking a direct jab at one of Wickremesinghe’s advisors, the Justice Minister singled out Ashu Marasinghe, who was assigned to Parliamentary Affairs. “It is ridiculous that he (Marasinghe) has to teach Wickremesinghe about Parliament,” he scoffed.

“Wickremesinghe was in Parliament when Marasinghe was still in school,” Nanayakkara quipped.