Namal Rajapaksa Recalls Rajapaksas’ Fall from Power as Official Residences Surrendered
While the Rajapaksa family enjoyed unlimited privileges while inflicting severe hardships on the public, the current administration has taken steps to systematically dismantle those unearned perks.
Despite this reality, Namal Rajapaksa has reportedly begun boasting to the public, ignoring the family’s past trajectory. A year ago, members of the Rajapaksa family threatened to surround Colombo if they were evicted from their state-assigned official residences.
However, the government adhered to strict legal procedures regarding their removal, as detailed in a comprehensive report by BBC Sinhala on Mahinda Rajapaksa’s departure:
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Final Departure from Official Residence
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa vacated his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07, in the presence of media personnel and supporters.
Upon leaving, the former President briefly commented to the media, stating: “We were asked to leave, so we are leaving.” He added that he intends to remain active in politics.
Following the passage of the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act by a majority vote in Parliament, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga were legally required to vacate their government-provided residences.
“Fulfilling a Promise to the Diaspora”
Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage, spokesperson for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, stated that handing over the official residence back to the government would take approximately a week to complete inventory verifications.
Speaking to the media, Manoj Gamage remarked:
“I believe that after tomorrow, this country will prosper. The government will cut former presidents’ expenses and reduce electricity bills, petrol prices, coconut prices, and rice prices… All issues in the country should be solved after today. Today, they fulfilled a promise given not to the people of this country, but to the LTTE diaspora.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the office of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga confirmed to BBC Sinhala that she also vacated her official residence in Colombo to move to her private residence in Horagolla.
Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill Passed by 150-Vote Majority
The Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament with a decisive majority of 150 votes, receiving 151 votes in favor and only one vote against.
The bill was passed during the committee stage without any amendments. Key entitlements abolished under the act include:
Any housing facility or monthly allowance provided to a former President or their spouse.
Monthly secretarial allowances, official transport, and all other perks provided to a former President or their spouse.
The monthly pension previously paid to the spouse of a former President.
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