Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has vacated his official residence on Wijerama Road, Colombo 07, following the implementation of the newly enacted Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act.
Rajapaksa, accompanied by his wife Shiranthi, left the residence around 1:15 p.m. today. A large number of supporters gathered outside the premises to bid farewell as the former President moved out of the state-provided house he had occupied for several years. Earlier in the day, several politicians and diplomats also visited him at Wijerama Road.
Speaking briefly to the media before leaving, Rajapaksa extended his gratitude and wished well to those who had conveyed their good wishes to him.
This development comes a day after Parliament overwhelmingly passed the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill, which abolishes the privileges previously granted to former presidents and their families. The legislation, certified by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on Wednesday, secured a majority of 150 votes, with 151 Members of Parliament in favour and only one against.
The Bill, tabled in Parliament on August 7 by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, repeals the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986. With its enactment, benefits such as official residences, monthly allowances, secretarial staff, transport facilities, and pensions for widows of former presidents have been discontinued.
According to a spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Rajapaksa is expected to return to his private residence, Carlton House in Hambantota. Political sources also confirmed that former presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will likewise be required to hand over their government-allocated residences.
The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government stated that if former presidents fail to vacate as required, formal notices will be issued demanding compliance. Officials added that the new law is currently under review and enforcement will be carried out accordingly.
