Utilise ‘Srawasthi Mandiraya’ for p’mentary affairs: UPFA

By Kelum Bandara 

‘Srawasthi Mandiraya’ or the historic building that previously housed the Western Provincial Council (WPC) should be used for parliamentary affairs, UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardane told the parliamentary business committee meeting held recently. 

“After the WPC was relocated, Srawasthi Mandiraya has been used to house the Office of Missing Persons (OMP). The complex, built in 1913, had been gifted to Parliament by philanthropist W.A. de Silva who was a member of both the Legislative and State Councils of Ceylon. He also served as Health Minister from 1936 to 1942. This ancient building should be used for the benefit of Parliament. It should not be vested with any authority other than the legislature. If the government attempts to do so, it will be unlawful,” he told Daily Mirror.  Earlier, the government rejected the request made by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to convert the building into a museum. 

Complex gifted to Parliament by philanthropist W.A. de Silva