News
Govt. says no need to ask MR to vacate his official residence
“… all he needs to do is leave the premises”- Minister Jayatissa
By Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte
The government yesterday said there was no need to ask former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to vacate the official residence provided to him at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo, as all he needed to do was leave the premises.
During the Cabinet press briefing, a journalist asked whether the government would request Rajapaksa to vacate the premises. In response, Cabinet Spokesman and Health and Mass Media Minister
Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said Mahinda Rajapaksa had three sons, who could look after him.
The Minister added that the provisions of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986 would be enforced in this regard. “Mahinda Rajapaksa was not in Parliament when that law was passed, but it is understood that he can comprehend these provisions, as he has been in Parliament for many years and was also a President who enacted the same Act. I believe he is capable of understanding the Act. This matter applies to all former Presidents and their widows,” the Minister said.