The former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has publicly declared his readiness to vacate his official residence in Colombo if current president Anura Kumara Dissanayake formally requests it in writing.
The statement comes in response to a speech by Dissanayake demanding Rajapaksa either vacate the residence or pay Rs. 4.6 million in monthly rent.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Rajapaksa noted that the residence on Wijerama Mawatha was allocated to him during former president Maithripala Sirisena's tenure through a cabinet decision. He stated that the house was provided as part of his constitutional entitlement as a former head of state, primarily for his protection.
Rajapaksa went on to express his frustration with what he described as political theatrics by the current president. “Instead of providing relief to the common man, President Dissanayake is more focused on PR stunts and public speeches aimed at criticising former presidents. If he believes my departure will benefit him politically, I am ready to leave. Let him send me an official written request,” Rajapaksa said.
"President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is forgetting I am Mahinda Rajapaksa,” he said.
“I am a politician and leader who always worked for the nation. From ending the war to initiating development projects, the country continues to benefit from the progress achieved during my presidency. My successors criticised these efforts, with some even halting projects, which severely impacted investor confidence.”
The war Rajapaksa spoke of refers to his military offensive that killed tens of thousands of Tamils in 2009, crimes that are increasingly being recognised as genocide. Rajapaksa is currently unable to travel to Canada due to sanctions for war crimes.
Rajapaksa also dismissed the current administration’s approach, calling Dissanayake’s governance a continuation of political harassment and revenge. “I have seen it all, from political revenge to harassment. If the president feels my residence is a burden, I will vacate it willingly. Nothing has been kept by force,” he added.
Meanwhile Sri Lankan Cabinet spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said Rajapaksa should vacate the residence without waiting for a formal request. Citing the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, Jayatissa stated, “Former presidents or their widows are entitled to one-third of their salary. Living in a mansion exceeding 30,000 square feet, costing Rs. 4.6 million monthly in rent, places an unnecessary burden on the public.”
Jayatissa added that the government has been tasked with eliminating the privileges of politicians and reducing the financial burden on citizens. He pointedly remarked, “The three sons of Mahinda Rajapaksa should be able to take care of their parents instead of relying on state resources.”
The latest controversy comes amidst a crackdown on the Rajapaksa family by the National People's Power (NPP) led Sri Lankan government.