Officials from former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s camp have denied that a sum of Rs. 98 million had been spent on New Year SMS messages sent to the public. 

Dinouk Colombage, attached to the former President’s office, said that messages wishing the public for Avurudu from the previous Presidents were dispatched free of charge. 

“This is a service provided by the telecom providers,” he said, in a statement on ‘X’. 

His clarification comes after NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi revealed that, according to a news report, last year alone, Rs. 98 million had been spent on sending the annual Sinhala and Tamil New Year SMS message from the President of Sri Lanka.

NEWS – April 22 2025

“President AKD saved Rs 98 million by not sending New Year SMS” – NPP MP!

NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi says Rs. 98 million was saved by the government through not sending the annual Sinhala and Tamil New Year SMS message from the President of Sri Lanka. 

Addressing a political rally, MP Kottahachchi said the President’s New Year message was not sent this year, which was a practice followed by previous regimes.

“The country or the party members did not face any issues just because the President’s message was not sent this year. However, a large sum of money was saved due to this move. According to a news report, last year alone, Rs. 98 million had been spent on this SMS message,” she said.