When Mahinda Rajapaksa was the president, the food was supplied by Hotel Hilton, with a plate bought for Rs. 12,500 on ceremonial occasions.

On a proposal by president Sirisena, the AF is now supplying the food, a plate with a 30-item menu costing only Rs. 1,200.

For ceremonies, the AF obtains an advance of Rs. 200,000 and returns the balance after calculating the expenses following each occasion, say the sources.

Hilton Hotel supplies food only when a VVIP makes a visit to the President’s House.

However, the Rs. 12,500 plate is now supplied at Rs. 3,500, say the sources.