President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the government will take back all official residences provided to former presidents.
He highlighted that the monthly rent for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence is Rs. 4.6 million, excluding the land value. Former presidents will now be required to either vacate the residences or pay the rent themselves.
The President explained that under current laws, former presidents are entitled to either a residence or a cash allowance equal to 1/3 of their salary. Moving forward, this benefit will be limited to a Rs. 30,000 monthly allowance.
Speaking at a meeting in Katukurunda, he added that ministerial bungalows, except the President’s House in Colombo, the President’s House in Kandy, and Temple Trees, will be converted into hotel projects or used for other purposes.
