සිංහල

Government to Reclaim Official Residences of Former Presidents

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the government will reclaim all official residences provided to former presidents. During a meeting in Katukurunda, the President highlighted that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence costs the government Rs. 4.6 million in rent per month, excluding the land value. He emphasized that former presidents will have the option to either vacate the residences or pay the rent themselves.

In addition, President Dissanayake stated that, as per existing laws, former presidents are entitled to either a residence or a cash allowance equal to one-third of their salary. The government will now limit this benefit to a cash allowance of Rs. 30,000, which is one-third of the former president’s salary.

Furthermore, the President announced that all ministerial bungalows, except for the President’s Houses in Colombo and Kandy and Temple Trees, will be repurposed for hotel projects or other appropriate uses.

Source – https://www.newswire.lk/2025/01/19/rs-4-6-million-monthly-rent-president-tells-mahinda-to-vacate-or-pay-rent/