Ministers in the former government never lived in official residences: Harin

By Yohan Perera   

Former Minister of Tourism and Lands, Harin Fernando, who has denied reports which claimed he got his ministry to pay utility bills of the official residence, yesterday said none of the ministers in the previous regime used their official residences.   
“I never lived in an official residence during my tenure as Minister of Tourism in 2024. However, the house in question was under the purview of the Ministry. This was the case with other ministers as well during that period,” Fernando told the Daily Mirror yesterday.   
According to the 2024 Annual Audit Report of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, a total of Rs. 1,062,665 was spent on water and electricity bills for the minister’s official residence during that year. These expenses were reportedly covered by the Ministry.   
The audit report has held former ministry officials accountable for the discrepancy, citing violations under Financial Regulation 135. The findings have raised questions about the management of ministerial resources and adherence to financial protocols within the ministry at the time.