Presidential travel costs vary. Some presidents spent more than others. Travel spending reflects different priorities. Factors include trip length and security needs. Analyzing this data reveals interesting trends. Examining travel expenses offers insights. It shows how presidents used resources. Spending habits show their focus. The data sparks debate on fiscal choices.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya disclosed the overseas travel expenditures incurred by Sri Lankan Presidents over the last 15 years, offering a comprehensive analysis of the financial outlay associated with each president’s international trips during their respective administrations.

Between 2010 and 2014, President Mahinda Rajapaksa‘s overseas travel costs reached Rs. 3,572 million.

In the subsequent term of President Maithripala Sirisena, from 2015 to 2019, these expenses saw a notable decline, totaling Rs. 384 million.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who held office from 2020 to 2022, further minimized the overseas travel expenditures to Rs. 126 million.

However, this downward trend was reversed under President Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose overseas travel expenses from 2023 to 2024 amounted to Rs. 533 million.

In contrast, the current President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has reported spending Rs. 1.8 million on overseas travel from September 2024 to February 2025.