Over US$4 Million to Fund Mahinda Rajapaksa's Foreign Visits

A small fact finding effort and calculation by LWB has revealed that Sri Lankan President has spent over $4 million dollars over the last two years to fund as much as twelve visits. While such travel is expected from a head-of-state, what makes this figure significant is that Rajapaksa's combined delegations adds up to over 640 during this same period.

In calculating this figure, various news reports and official press-releases were used to obtain information on the number of days the visit lasts, and the number of members in the delegation. A fully-loaded cost of US$1,200/day/member was estimated considering the daily allowance of US$500 given to travelling members and other costs such as hotel, food, telephone, drinks and incidentals (shopping?).

Airfare and charter-costs are not included in this figure. However, I would guess that each charter-flight would cost a few-hundred thousand dollars at least.

At a time when Sri Lanka is increasingly receiving negative reactions from the international community, and President Rajapaksa himself declaring he doesn't really care what other countries have to say, what benefits these visits have accrued to the country would be an interesting question. Trade? Investment? Aid?

Kawda Mewata Waga Kiyanne?