Govt. opts to establish mechanism to better utilize state bungalows

The Cabinet has approved a proposal to establish a mechanism for the economic utilisation of government bungalows, ‘Visumpaya,’ and presidential residences located across the country, currently managed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Cabinet spokesman and Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

There are 50 government bungalows in Colombo 05 and 07 besides the presidential residences in Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Mahiyanganaya, Anuradhapura, Kataragama, Jaffna, Embilipitiya, and Bentota, which fall under the administration of the Presidential Secretariat. However, aside from the residences in Colombo and Kandy, these properties are rarely utilised.

In addition, the official residences of several heads of state are managed by the Urban Development Authority (UDA), while the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Nuwara Eliya is overseen by the Prime Minister’s Office. Despite significant expenditure on maintaining these properties, their underutilisation remains a concern, he said.

In response to this situation, the President and the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government have jointly proposed the development of a methodology to ensure these properties are used in a more economically beneficial manner. This proposal includes the formation of a committee tasked with investigating the matter and providing recommendations, Minister Jayatissa said.

The Committee, chaired by an Additional Secretary appointed by the Secretary of the UDA, will include the following members: an Additional Secretary nominated by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, an Additional Secretary or senior officer named by the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, an Additional Secretary designated by the Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, the Director General of the Department of Archaeology, the Director General of the National Physical Planning Department, the Director General of the UDA, and a representative appointed by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. (RK)