With the passage of the Bill to strip the rights of retired presidents in Parliament, former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Chandrika Kumaratunga are preparing to hand over their official residences to the government, their spokespersons told the Mawbima newspaper.
A close aide of former President Maithripala Sirisena said that he vacated his official residence on Mahagamasekara Mawatha in Colombo the day before yesterday (9), even before the Bill was passed. Sirisena removed some of his belongings and moved into a house in Battaramulla, the aide confirmed.
Meanwhile, Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to hand over his official residence today in accordance with the Presidential Rights (Repeal) Act, his media spokesperson, Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage, said. He emphasized that the government would act promptly once the legal notices were issued. Gamage further noted that Rajapaksa’s family would decide on their next residence after vacating the official home on Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07.
Sources close to Rajapaksa stated that he would relocate to his Hambantota residence, where a grand welcome by his supporters is being organized.
Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s media unit confirmed that she too is preparing to vacate her official residence located on Nidahas Mawatha, Colombo 07.
Although several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Bill, the Court concluded that it was not unconstitutional. The petitions were filed by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna General Secretary Renuka Perera, Sabaragamuwa University lecturer Mahinda Pathirana, Rajapaksa’s spokesperson Manoj Gamage, and former Navy Chief of Staff S.M. Wijewickrama.
However, neither former President Ranil Wickremesinghe nor Chandrika Kumaratunga took legal action against the Bill. In response to reports claiming she would join others in challenging the repeal, Kumaratunga’s media unit clarified that she was not involved in any such legal proceedings.
