Months lapse for Govt, state bungalows still lie idle

• Govt yet to decide how to reserve them for economic activities 
• Cost involved in maintaining them despite remaining unoccupied
• Foreign Missions, Election Commission are among entities that have sought them

By Kelum Bandara  

State bungalows which were assigned to Cabinet Ministers as their official residences in the past currently remain idle under the current government even after months despite its pre-election promise to repurpose them for economically viable activities.  
In the run up to the elections last year, the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) pledged that such valuable properties would not be assigned to ministers, a departure from the practice of the past governments, in a bid to reserve them for economically viable activities. It was cited as a move to save on public money while generating income for the state.  
More than seven months have lapsed now after the presidential election conducted in September, last year, but the government, or the Public Administration Ministry for that matter, has been unable to assign these houses for suitable investors to start economic activities or to rent them out.  During the time of the last government, 31 government bungalows built during the colonial period had been assigned to ministers and state ministers to be used as their official residences.   
These houses had been built mostly during the latter part of the colonial period and used by colonial officials for their official and residential purposes. These houses were considered useful then since there were no sufficient hotel facilities. These houses were useful for large gatherings of people for events such as receptions.  Asked about the current status, Public Administration Minister Prof. Chandana Abayaratne said that there are around 50 such houses identified, and around 30 of them are large enough in space for economically viable activities.  
He said there are requests from a number of organizations including foreign missions and government entities for the use of them for their activities. Also, there are requests for the use of them for tourism, according to the Minister.  
“We, as the government, are yet to decide what to do with these state bungalows. We will consider it after evaluation of requests from various sectors. We have done valuation. We can rent them out for good prices,” he said.  Asked about the government houses which are small in terms of space, he said, “We will use them for small activities,”  
The Election Commission has also asked for one such house to carry out some of its functions.   
 Responding a question about the cost involved in maintenance of them, he said, “It is a minimal expense involved at the moment.”  
Besides, military security has been provided to them to protect valuable items stored.