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GR gets new luxury state bungalow in Colombo 07

8 June 2023 08:19 am - 77     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was forced out of office in June last year has been allocated a new luxury bungalow sponsored by the State situated in Stanmore Crescent which is usually assigned to the Foreign Minister, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lankan former presidents are entitled to a house sponsored by the state in accordance with the law governing the perks and privileges of the retired heads of state. However, the law is not clear about the allocation of such a facility to Mr. Rajapaksa since he vacated office in the middle of his term after the public uprising.

The said luxury house situated on Stanmore Crescent, Colombo 7, is usually assigned to the foreign minister serving at the moment. An informed source said that Foreign Minister Ali Sabry gave his concurrence to the allocation of this house to Mr. Rajapaksa. The house was occupied earlier by late Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. The Daily Mirror learns that the house had undergone extensive renovation before it was allocated to Gotabaya.

Soon after he resigned from office in July last year following growing anger against his inability to manage the economic crisis, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was allocated a state bungalow in Malalasekara Mawatha which was also guarded with heavy security.

Sources said that Rajapaksa eventually vacated that house saying the allocated bungalow was ‘too noisy’ and he had also raised issues over his security despite the massive security contingent deployed for him.

Rajapaksa had then moved into his Mirihana House which was also heavily guarded and had put in a request for a new bungalow.

It is learnt that once this new request had come in by the former President, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry had given his consent since he was not occupying it. (Kelum Bandara)


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  Comments - 77

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  • Citizen k Thursday, 08 June 2023 08:44 AM

    How we reward the unworthy.

    MirakRajBanda Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:01 AM

    Leaches still sucking our blood!!! The country is getting ready another round of ''Aragalaya'' while Ranil sleeps.

    joshua Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:04 AM

    Ali Sabry is a stooge of Rajapkashes. He will give up everything for Rajapakshes. Some people think that they take their money wealth with them to the next life.

    Hello Hello Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:05 AM

    There is no end for corruption in SL. First of all make sure that Gota is entitled to get the house. He was chased away by the public and he didn't even complete his term.

    Sivadevan Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:09 AM

    Ex-President is entitled to this. As you have said, this house is meant for a cabinet minister, not an extraordinary palace. Despite all the damages done to the country, he was someone voted for by 6.9 million voters. So, let it be

    Thilina Thursday, 08 June 2023 06:45 PM

    He serves only 2 years and chassed away from the office by majority of same voters due to his mismanagement caused the country to declare bankruptcy. He should be punished for harm done for the country not rewards these are jocks and still there are jockers like you to endorse.

    Citizen Silva Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:16 AM

    This bugger should not be given a luxury bungalow at Stanmore Crescent instead a prison cell at Welikada. That is what he deserves to what he put the country into

    Chris Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:25 AM

    Within a year he gets a nice life after ruining the economy and siphoning all the money in his short stint as President. He should be on trial. What a country we live in.!!

    Christo255 Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:26 AM

    So what? Every ex president is allowed certain privileges this been one of them. Don't forget Mrs. Premadasa still gets facilities provided for by the government even after all these years.

    Jayantha Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:28 AM

    Lol. Wasting public funds and loans at this struggling time. IMF jokers giving money to corrupted politicians to enjoy life.

    Tax Payer Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:38 AM

    THE PRESIDENTS WHO SERVE SHORT PERIODS OF JUST OVER TWO YEARS LIKE GOTA AND RANIL ON THEIR RETIREMENT FROM OFFICE SEEM TO BE PROVIDED THE SAME BENEFITS AND PRIVELEGES AS THE PRESIDENTS WHO RETIRE AFTER SERVING TWO FULL TERMS TOTALLING TEN YEARS.BESIDES THEIR RETIREMENTS ARE DUE TO FAILURE IN OFFICE AND HATRED OF THE PEOPLE. IT IS THE TAX PAYERS WHO HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN ! WHAT IS THE RATIONALE BEHIND THIS ?

    Mahila Friday, 09 June 2023 05:55 AM

    Same as the "SHORT TERM EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT DINGIRI BANDA WIJETUNGHE", way back in 1990's!! Same rule applies and no difference!!! Constitution or Primary Law cannot be like a recipe for making Chicken Curry or Biriyani

    Ama Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:50 AM

    So what Baticalio MP said in the Parliment was correct. Waste of tax Payers money. Prez is responsible for this.

    Mike Revere Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:58 AM

    Spiritual life needs to be in right standing or else there will always be a state of insecurity no matter how many humans hover over.

    Samson De Silva Thursday, 08 June 2023 10:02 AM

    A useless moron who could not do the job entrusted to him by the majority (albeit idiots) of voters, and eventually abandoned his office, just like he did previously, to his military position. Now getting all these perks, costing billions to the poor people. WTF?

    Zero Thursday, 08 June 2023 10:19 AM

    lester Thursday, 08 June 2023 10:33 AM

    Cant stand the fact ranil who sold the country to white man will soon be entitled for one too

    Mokan Thursday, 08 June 2023 10:33 AM

    This is Sri Lanka

    Sam Thursday, 08 June 2023 10:38 AM

    Bungalow sponsored by the public. Authorities must ensure various utility bills are paid by him.

    Johan Thursday, 08 June 2023 11:03 AM

    Can our president beg USA for green card to Gota. Then he will live his own. Problem will be solved.

    Sunil Thursday, 08 June 2023 11:07 AM

    What a reward for a man who brought the entire country to its knees in just 2 1/2 years. Another rascal is to follow suit soon

    Imtias Thursday, 08 June 2023 11:26 AM

    These are parasites born to bleed

    Selvam Thursday, 08 June 2023 11:31 AM

    Enjoy...... we are here to pay for that, while we ourselves struggle to make ends meet

    LankanLover Thursday, 08 June 2023 11:46 AM

    I wanted to curse all these sinners but for the sake of peace of my mind, I would rather not.

    Pacha Bahu Thursday, 08 June 2023 11:51 AM

    If ex President’s widows get state houses then what is wrong in an elected President getting a house. A current Presidential advisor who was an MP for a few days got a duty free car permit.

    Volker Metzger Thursday, 08 June 2023 12:06 PM

    Regardless of what statute or custom may be due to this failed in every way, former president, if Gotabaya had even a shred of character or decency, given the suffering he has caused the people, he would renounce everything, himself behaving humbly and slowly starting to think seriously about his behavior and actions!!! I keep wondering where among all these politicians, who so often "celebrate" the Buddhist rituals in public, the internalization and practical implementation of the Buddha's teaching found its expression in concrete political behavior!!!

    RuwanL Thursday, 08 June 2023 12:32 PM

    This entitlement should change! Only Presidents who successfully complete 2 years successfully should get a house and security but not in Colombo but in his electorate!

    Duminda Thursday, 08 June 2023 12:57 PM

    The servo attended jester from Skid Row to Sinnomon Gardens all thanks to uneducated voters... What irony.

    Volker Metzger Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:10 PM

    Regardless of what statute or custom may be due to this failed in every way, former president, if Gotabaya had even a shred of character or decency, given the suffering he has caused the people, he would renounce everything, himself behaving humbly and slowly starting to think seriously about his behavior and actions!!! I keep wondering where among all these politicians, who so often "celebrate" the Buddhist rituals in public, the internalization and practical implementation of the Buddha's teaching found its expression in concrete political behavior!!!

    Dara Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:11 PM

    He was expelled and forced to resign by public, does he entitle to such, especially this grave economic bankruptcy but should thank him not to leash forces against unarmed strugglers

    Ram Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:22 PM

    Raja Family have lost their credibility in all aspects. GR who once said what I say is the law must be given a house as he is the law

    Mohamed Adham Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:25 PM

    This so called "Patriot" is sucking up much needed precious financial resources for his own personal benefit. What exactly does the Law state on a President who ran away from the country mid term ? Does he need to be allocated all these facilities. Why does this so called patriot not realize the situation in the country and calculate how much is spent from precious state funds for his and his family's up keep ? And people remain silent and go about their day to day lives. Like the saying goes " ONLY THE CRYING BABY GETS THE MOST MILK". A bunch of selfish self centered dumbos we all are.

    JACOB Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:27 PM

    FREELOADING POS

    Latley Gunasekera Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:28 PM

    I left SL the exactly 50 years back and a duel citizen.Since 2008 I am investing in Singapore and during the covid time put my feet to even Hanoi real state. Today I am happy not to invest my born country when I hier these news. Good luck Sri Lanka .

    Prof. E.M.W. Fernando Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:32 PM

    It's a curse for arranging a luxury mansion spending 18.7 million for renovations alone plus extra security personal for a destroyer of Lanka, only the God above has to justify.

    Volker Metzger Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:36 PM

    Regardless of what statute or custom may be due to this failed in every way, former president, if Gotabaya had even a shred of character or decency, given the suffering he has caused the people, he would renounce everything, himself behaving humbly and slowly starting to think seriously about his behavior and actions!!! I keep wondering where among all these politicians, who so often "celebrate" the Buddhist rituals in public, the internalization and practical implementation of the Buddha's teaching found its expression in concrete political behavior!!!

    Lucky - Factory Labourer Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:37 PM

    For the money spent to Gota, millions of people could be fed all three times fully. In the hospitals people are dying without medicine, in general now people manage with either one or two meals maximum, but the public money is wasted for the robbers and looters in this manner.

    Dr. Kamala Anandarajah Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:46 PM

    School children in the remote areas are going barefoot to schools, to buy textbooks no money for them, no proper food for them, but Gota who destroyed

    VJ Thursday, 08 June 2023 01:56 PM

    A bungalow inside a military cantonment would have been an ideal place for him. What happens if Ali Sabr’s portfolio is given someone else?

    UMAS ALI Thursday, 08 June 2023 02:49 PM

    His wife got 3 housed in u.s.a His son got 4 houses in u.s.a all with our stolen money from the government

    Hema Thursday, 08 June 2023 02:52 PM

    Its time to remove all the residences given to any government servants or politicians. Let them to build their own houses on their own will. Then they will realize how difficult it is to approve at least the house plan from Pradeshiya Sabha.

    L Jaya Thursday, 08 June 2023 03:10 PM

    What MP Rasamanikkam said in the parliament is somewhat correct. Without the consent of Foreign Minster how could state assigned FMs official residency to Gota?

    DKM Soyza -Rtd. Principal Galle Thursday, 08 June 2023 03:28 PM

    All over the world Gota

    Vadivelu Yogaratnam Thursday, 08 June 2023 03:51 PM

    What a blardy joke in great Lanka unbelievable, if it was a western country he would be behind bars by this time.

    roobarbie Thursday, 08 June 2023 04:58 PM

    These people make a mess of the country and then they are also rewarded with all the luxuries under the sun at the taxpayers expense. Damn leaches these politicians.

    Tissa Fernando Thursday, 08 June 2023 05:15 PM

    Look at this from a different perspective, Gota did not move to his official residence when he was President, he continued to stay in his private house. Then he was attacked in his house forcing him to move out. When he was in President house , rioters attacked the property too. So, what can he do. You know what , it is Diaspora who is extremely angry with Gota and those elite people who stayed in fuel queues and ordinary people who stayed in gas queues. The country becoming bankrupt has been the work of everyone who ruled the country for several decades.

    Sam Silva Thursday, 08 June 2023 05:17 PM

    Our country is haven for crooks.

    Gamini Thursday, 08 June 2023 05:19 PM

    What a fortune for a petrol shed attendant to be maintained in a luxury Colombo-7 bungalow at tax payers expense

    Tilak Thursday, 08 June 2023 05:21 PM

    Response to Lester- Where has Ranil sold the country to the white man. It's your Rajapakshas who have sold out the country to Chinese

    Kandavanam koneswaran Thursday, 08 June 2023 05:46 PM

    How can Mr.GR entitle of the privileges which are to Retired Presidents.? He was chased by people from his office forcibly. This is equal to a dismission of a public officer. The dismissed office has no right to enjoy the privileges as a normal retired officer.

    ChildOfGod Thursday, 08 June 2023 06:12 PM

    It clearly states that RETIRED which obviously means after ones term in office, in GOTAs instance he resigned ( a big difference between retiring and resigning) he should NOT have got a ROOF OVER HIS HEAD, leave alone security. Why the HELL should tax payers pay one red cent towards HIS upkeep, after all the rupees, dollars and GOD only knows the FULL extent he, his family, extended family and stooges have accumulated in his stint as President. As the saying goes KARMA and RETRIBUTION comes in different forms and can go down as far as the 3rd and or 4th generation. HIS time will come, make NO mistake.

    DJ Thursday, 08 June 2023 06:16 PM

    Is anyone surprised about this? this is Sri Lanka, where the crooks and criminal are free to do what they want.

    ChildOf God Thursday, 08 June 2023 06:21 PM

    By the way, to some who have made reference to a Late President's Wife being given a residence, remember Sajith's late Father was assassinated he didn't bring the country to its knees, nor did he bolt overseas and send in a letter of resignation.

    Christopher Seneviratne Thursday, 08 June 2023 06:47 PM

    THIS IS REDICULOUS. HOW CAN THIS IDIOT WHO RUINED THIS COUNTRY BELONGING TO THE RAJAPAKSE CLAN GET SUCH SPECIAL TREATMENT.

    Cost for 6 million fools who voted for Gota Thursday, 08 June 2023 07:20 PM

    It is up to the 6 million plus who voted for him to rise against this matter. They are being damned with expenses for having voted in Gota, so best they start a new Aragalaya to get rid of Gota using so much of the public purse. If they do not, the costs to them will only become greater as the trend for waste increases

    Ragu Lakshman Thursday, 08 June 2023 07:45 PM

    Boot licker Ali Sabry is now playing communal politics by calling Chanakiyan an agent of tamil Dispora. While ALi is nothing but a traitor to the nation and its people, by wasting public money when people are starving.. Hope next government put him behind bars and throws the keys away for good.

    Bernard Jayatilake Thursday, 08 June 2023 08:56 PM

    In recognition of his two-year service to the country he is bestowed this privilege to make his life smoother as during his short tenure he was able to make the number of poor people doubled by systematically eliminating the middle class thru his bankrupt policies.

    Ram Thursday, 08 June 2023 09:12 PM

    R Premadasa served a short term and not living. But still Hema Premadasa is allocated a house and still state provides perks. So law and precedence is not an issue here.

    Rohan Samarasinghe Friday, 09 June 2023 01:16 AM

    Do you the reason why GR served a short term and R Premadasa served a short term.. It seems you are suffering from dementia if not please attend a night school which teaches history. Only then you will understand the difference.

    Sofran Thursday, 08 June 2023 11:09 PM

    Gnana akka will have a annexe next door.

    Zaza Friday, 09 June 2023 12:24 AM

    Useless filibustering, the System provides for this and many other cases of abuse. Let's change the Systems or be damned and doomed.

    namal the lawyer Friday, 09 June 2023 01:31 AM

    People are you goin to vpte for RAJAPASAS again

    Sunnyy Perera Friday, 09 June 2023 03:00 AM

    Railing after Gotabhaya's residence does not resolve the issue.If there is sufficient evidence to pursue him legally this should be a precursor to indicting him. His residence then will be in all probabilities not in Stanmore Crescent but a more guarded place of confinement.The present President has a responsibility by those citizens who suffered terrible hardships in Lanka as a result of Rajapaksa ineptitude and greed to initiate the pursuance of justice against both Rajapaksa Regimes and their leaders, not permitting them to a free existence if criminally liable which all evidence appears to attest to and as their track record suggests.

    Surath Perera Friday, 09 June 2023 04:29 AM

    Should an Idiot get a new residence, being burdened to the public? Days are numbered to have the justice on him.

    Sam Friday, 09 June 2023 07:11 AM

    He messed up the whole country, people are suffering and yet we reward a person who was ousted by the people. We waste money like this and beg from IMF and other countries to feed these goons! Only can happen in SL. Disgrace!

    Anura Nanayakkara Friday, 09 June 2023 08:01 AM

    Gota may get this house for the services he rendered to the nation to finish 30yr. civil war under his elder brother's command.

    S.Siva Friday, 09 June 2023 08:14 AM

    Even though he was President with the largest vote his brothers and nephews never allowed him the freedom to do what he wanted to do. IMF is fully involved now because of the programs he wanted to implement which naturally took some time. The present leaders are enjoying the fruits of his work which he started . Very often the person who planted a fruit tree never gets to taste the fruit. He now has a house earmarked for a minister and cannot go back to his children in the US. Leave him alone to enjoy the rest of his life

    Bandu Friday, 09 June 2023 08:42 AM

    Gotha don't need a free house, Rajapksha family has stolen enough money to buy whole of colombo 7.

    RTM Friday, 09 June 2023 10:16 AM

    It was His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa's right to have all facilities still remain, a Head of State as he is still a serving President elected by the mandate of the PEOPLE. Ranil himself acting as a US agent without people's support and mandate, should dissolve parliament to hold an election immediately without further delay.

    Aththa Friday, 09 June 2023 12:11 PM

    But then Ranil Wicks was never elected and enjoys all the privileges. He too was a pro Aragala activist including his erstwhile colleagues in the Presidential Secretariat.

    Sammy Friday, 09 June 2023 12:23 PM

    The more things change, the more they stay the same! The hapless people of this land are being taken for a circular ride, many times over.

    Anthony. R Friday, 09 June 2023 12:25 PM

    Blessed are they who have memories . Pity the Memory Less.

    Sen Friday, 09 June 2023 12:58 PM

    Basically forefathers of rajapakshas are rustlers, Gota got a place in army due to his political backing,during that period in forces officer grades only open for backward guys with learning difficulties,but among all rajapaksha crooks I still feel Gota has got vision but he was to work as relatives wanted, which is the reason of their downfall ,but he was brain enough, not to turn guns ataragalaya fellas

    MERRIL WICKRAMASINGHE Friday, 09 June 2023 03:39 PM

    COLLECT MORE TAXES FROM THE PUBLIC TO GIVE THESE POLITICIANS TO ENJOY LIFE. WHAT A NICE COUNTRY .......

    ChildOfGod Friday, 09 June 2023 08:18 PM

    By the way Ali Sabry Foreign Minister, caught with GOLD undeclared and still serving in parliament!!! what a JOKE, fined and allowed to run loose seriously!!!. KARMA sure listed for you too Ali Babba and the 40 thieves, the Lord only knows the names on the list. I guess as the saying goes " Birds of a feather stick together". GOD BLESS the MASSES and give them the strength to fight for their rights and basic needs to survive, till they are called home to rest. AMEN

    Sen Saturday, 10 June 2023 07:19 AM

    Dear Mrs Gota, you the brain and strength behind failed Gota,though failed but he is not miserable, reason, he didn’t kill,but go through the comments, 99% demanding him to stop consuming perks which seems, are not deserve for him,it’s good to live your own without depend on taxpayers, as 6.9 million and others live

    Sammy Saturday, 10 June 2023 10:34 PM

    Increase taxes of common people to provide for these.


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