Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been given a plush bungalow in Colombo 7 by the government.
The bungalow which was occupied by incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena when he was Minister of Health, has been renovated at a cost of Rs. 30 million to suit the former President’s taste.
“Rajapaksa had initially refused to move into the bungalow as it was not fit for him because it was in a dilapidated state, subsequently steps were taken to renovate the two storied bungalow at a cost of Rs. 30 million as per his instructions,” a source said.
Rajapaksa is entitled to an official residence, security as well as a vehicle among other perks as a former President. Earlier, Rajapaksa had requested for Visumpaya, located on Staples Street Colombo 2, which the government had flatly refused and had offered him the bungalow in Colombo 7 instead.
KA Sumanasekera / August 2, 2016
I will drink to that..
Thanks to him I now play Golf in China bay…For how long I am not sure.
It all depends who gets it.. Vellalas ? Or the Wahabis who just put in their claim through the SLMC.
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Upul Tilakaratna / August 2, 2016
So, who’s more corrupt? MR1 (coalition) MR2 (coalition).
We do know the 3 looters; Ranil, CBK, MR1, but MR2 wouldn’t be honest.
But this is all the inevitable result of a big government capable of enriching those who run it – those who seek office will look to use that power.
And we’ll keep electing the most corrupt people to high office in the mistaken impression that it takes a corrupt person to dismantle a corrupt system.
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PROUDMAN / August 3, 2016
WHERE IS THE BUNGALOW? I see the picture of a house. Bungalow is single storied residence, May bev the writer of the caption is ignorant of this fact which is normal for SL journalism.
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Hamlet / August 3, 2016
Sumane’ You can now play Golf in China Bay?
You seem to have really got used to that kind of Lifestyle; the Opulent Lifestyle of the Thieving Rajapakses, when they were Stealing from the Poor to give to the Illegally Rich Family Members and Hangers On!
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mike / August 2, 2016
Who will take over the plush bungalow after Medamulana Meeharaka finds a permanent place in Welikada?
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Paul / August 2, 2016
When will you realise that none of the Rajapaksas will ever go to jail, or face international judges, or be punished in any way at all? Sirisena & Ranil are just playing the same old game. MR will protect them too if he returns. All of them appear to to be diffrent people with different principles, but that is for the electorate to swallow. In reality they are all in politics for what they can get out of it. There is of course a single exception – MR got rid of the Tigers.
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Rohan / August 2, 2016
Yeah, they could have kept it in the earlier condition, to train Mahinda.
/at a cost of Rs. 30 million to suit the former President’s taste./
Well, just 30 million? When was the last time when Rajapaksa Family had any project at that low budget.
Ex President’s tase?
With an underground suite for his sons to have fun with the girls from Sri Lankan Airlines and from rich and famous families?
With a place where Mahinda could slap senior police officers and ministers?
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Deniel / August 3, 2016
May be your mother can move there together with her lovers.
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Mano / August 2, 2016
For all what he put this country through – the corruption, the racist tensions that led to deaths, the journalists who were killed, threatened, or who had to flee, the ousting of the Chief Justice and the abuse of powers, and the millions that his family benefited at the expense the Sri Lankan people, this man deserves nothing but a jail cell, together the members of his family. Why are the President and PM bending over backwards to please this man? Something is wrong in our country.
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shankar / August 2, 2016
mano
even if what you say is true,he deserves the bungalow because he ended a 25 year war.The people are grateful for that and won’t grudge him such comforts.
as for the mega corruption that you mention,where is the evidence.Nobody has gone to jail yet.Only to remand,hospital,then bail.It is a circus and people are laughing and asking if he played out where is the money and why nobody jailed.
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Mano / August 2, 2016
The money is beautifully laundered, through their various partners in crime in other countries, and some are also in investments in real estate belonging to fake companies. Don’t think for one minute they are going to be such fools as to leave any evidence as to where they stashed away their money, and that they would have used their own names to stash it. They have mastered the game.
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Ruki / August 3, 2016
Mano –
Well analysed ! This is what many cannot or don’t bother to understand, blaming the Prez, PM and new government right and left won’t help at this juncture. They need time to catch the rogues, “Patience” is the key here,as concerned citizens of Sri Lanka, we need to keep watching carefully the turn of events. What MS-RW coalition government has achieved so far is commendable, I believe.
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shankar / August 3, 2016
ruki
“What MS-RW coalition government has achieved so far is commendable, I believe.”
is that the reason the local government elections are being postponed?
MS and RW must be worried if they get a resounding win,then their people will get swollen headed and celebrate as usual like the 1996 world cup and never win any elections/cup after that.Two leaders with a lot of wisdom.
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Ruki / August 6, 2016
Shanker –
LG elections will be held by April next year, the Minister Faizer assured last week. And check this link for what Elections Commissioner has to say here –
http://newsfirst.lk/english/2016/07/delay-local-government-elections/143138
And as for MS and RW, they both are men with insight, especially MS was in that corrupt government all along and emerged clean to contest for the Common Candidate sticking his neck out, his timing was super, we all endorse that, I guess. And RW lost 29 times and did not give up. And this combine is at work here now and feel there’s a ‘change’ happening here and one cannot expect it to turn 180 degrees in just 11 months.
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Paul / August 3, 2016
Ruki I would agree with you if the Prez and Ranil were upright people themselves but they are not. Who appointed his brother SLT chairman within two weeks of becoming president? That’s just a single example. No, there is no chance of MR or anybody else facing justice. These clowns can’t even convict Gnanasara!
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Ruki / August 6, 2016
Paul –
Yes, I agree with you, that was one and there was another, the time he took his son, Daham to the UN General Assembly in New York. And both these were largely discussed in all medias and I’m certain the dear Pres t learnt his bitter lesson. And that is the ‘change’ we see happening here now, a Pres who feels ashamed when his wrong doings are brought out into public, compared to what MR did, they were peanuts, still we did not allow him to be. For that, during the last regime, all we saw was a ruthless dictator at the helm and with his corrupt family members, doing all he can to instil fear in the minds of the people. There was so much corruption,gruesome killings, disappearances and abductions in broad daylight, no one spoke a word, though. So that’s why we need to allow this new government time and we all know that 100% perfect people don’t exist, so I trust this President to put this country right.
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PattiGona / August 2, 2016
This is no different from what MR gave CBK as per constitution on Independence Avenue with a lot more land. That too was repaired and upgraded for her comfort. She uses that and her Walawwa in Horagolla. So do not try to make this about MR. What RIGHT did a Gramasevaka to occupy one of these British Colonial houses when he was Minister? because all these houses were occupied by Ministers or so many governments from independence. These are nice old bungalows. Say whatever you want about MR or CBK but both have a constitutional right provided by JR to such residences as temporary living abodes after retirement.
H.E JR did not use it because he had his nice residence on Ward Place. That too because he was an elegant great aristocrat with wealth and class. He chose not to get a government house.
Figurehead President and Governor General William Gopallawa who occupied the President’s mansions for the longest time period from 1962 to Jan 1978(no one has come that close to the time spent in the mansions as head of state) went to his residence in Matale but he was allowed to take a driver and a secretary with his pension but he was not allowed a house. He was allowed to buy a car at nominal terms.
Late Hon DBW also got a house but he preferred to go back to Kadugannawa. So if it is ok for CBK it is ok for MR and it will be ok for whoever else unless the executive Presidency is abolished. Does not look like that will happen.
RW is the best because he grew up in Colombo 7 with class and elegance to an elegant aristocratic family. He will go back home. He has done that many times before when he lost elections.
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Justice & Fairplay / August 2, 2016
30 million of our money wasted on a worthless fraud.
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Raj / August 2, 2016
It’s only a drop in ocean considering the on going perks for life such as ab army of body guards, servants & official vehicles. Hope this bunch will go to jail for crimes committed, so that the tax payer money can be utilized for more useful purposes. Unfortunately in SL, tax payers are funding the luxury life style of criminals, instead of a cell in jail.
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Shan / August 2, 2016
Least government can do for the guy who destroyed LTTE in Sri Lanka. I said “in Sri Lanka”. LTTE clearly still is active by the comments we see on this page. Just mention Rajapakse and they come in droves like water buffaloes to condemn the name.
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thrishu / August 2, 2016
Don’t these people like ex-Pres have any shame? They have more than enough money to buy Colombo several times over, yet the tax payers have to provide accommodation to these poor rascals for life. What an utter nonsense? 30 Million for renovations? With that money a whole shanty town of 30-families could have been rehoused in better accommodation, and here one parasite devours the full amount for one building fix. They are supposed to be the heroes of poor people, but they do not have an iota of sympathy for the poor; if they had they would be the first to give up all these unnecessary luxuries in favor of the people that they represent.
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thrishu / August 3, 2016
Six oddities hanging on Rajapaksha tailcoat for their survival vs fifteen with a sense of fair play for the down-trodden and of integrity. A representative cross section of the Sri Lankan community. Some people think liberating the country of terrorism is synonymous with the selfish mentality, “what I rescued, I will keep and only drip feed those that worship me. The remainder could go to hell”. There are more noble leaders in the West and even Russia and China, who do not become a burden to the tax payer after their retirement. In Sri Lanka retired PMs and Presidents continue to be a liability to the poor, because they want to remain as beggars.
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Ben Hurling / August 2, 2016
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s public hospitals lack almost everything.
Schools lack desks and sanitary facilities.
Despotic, corrupt ex King Komg is given a luxury state house in Colombo 7 to serve the starving people.
Long live the dumb Sri Lankan electorate! You have a bright futre.
Cheers!
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Funlover / August 2, 2016
By refusing to retire gracefully, Jarapassa forfeited any right to the privileges of an outgoing President.
Sirisena and Ranil, you are THE shit that shoots from that passa.
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Elizabeth Jonklass / August 2, 2016
The fellow may be entitled to certain privilleges but does he deserve it? You spend Rs 30 Million to upgrade a bungalow to a crook. Why not spend that same amount of money to get some solid evidence to catch him for robbing us and throw him to the State Hostel to spend the rest of his life?
Are we to laugh or to cry?
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Desh / August 2, 2016
Although I agree that former heads of state are entitled to receiving state provided housing, I think MR is being extremely hypocritical right now.
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Dinuk / August 2, 2016
Why should tax payers pay for this robber-thug?
Mahinda should be behind bars for all his financial crimes.
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Hamlet / August 2, 2016
“30 Million for renovations?”:-
Thrishu;
Why doesn’t He live in Kurunegala, His Costituency? Then He won’t need a Luxury Vehicle either!
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max / August 2, 2016
Well, he very well deserves a tenancy for life time in the lavish bungalow located in Colpitty between the police station and Rotunda Gardens for many goods he brought to the country but failed due to his few own blunders. Yahapal lickers, now start tag me with various 3rd grade names. :p
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sampath gopallawa / August 2, 2016
Why all this for this MODA YATRA bugger?!!!
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Saman Adikari / August 2, 2016
As ex-President MR is entitle for Govt. residency. Perks ahs been grown during UNP-JRJ regime. UNP was the pioneers of politics that who has been promoter and encourage of roots several perks and benefits to Parlimentries politicians been elected by People.
The politics of UNP was very reasons to corrupted system of democracy and Parliamentary elected members including local Govt. members as well.
MR is entitle for residency by Constitutional guarantee of the Republic writing of constitutions……..
The Old house has given Minster of Health was over enjoy life of Minister by unmatched of the previous Govt.
We do want to change system of given all political grounds to ex-Presidents, Primers, Ministers, Members of Parliament of the cost of Tax payers money.
Now that ongoing perks and benefits of elected members of Free Import vehicles after 5 years, Pension for life time, so-called health insurances, unlimited Petrol allowance, unlimited Tele phone calls ,salaries for their sectaries, that including pensions been cost large number tax payers to Govt. treasure .
There is unknown commitments of several payments to elected members is not visible at all to Public-Sri lanka.
All in all must be abolished once and for all the very vested interest of public.
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DEAL DASA RAJAPAKSA / August 2, 2016
30 MILLION INNOCENT TAX PAYERS MONEY FOR A TYRANT. WELL JARAPAKSA HAS MADE BILLIONS FOR GENERATIONS INCLUDING HIS CHILDREN,BROTHERS,NEPHEWS,UNCLES AUNTS DAISY AUNTY. WHY CANT JARAPAKSA RETIRE PEACEFULLY AND FIND PEACE IN MEDAMULANA.
YAHAPALANAYA SUCKS!!
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Dave / August 2, 2016
A bungalow is “a simple, single story, dwelling”
How does this monstrosity qualify for the term?
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Ruki / August 2, 2016
This may be a treat, before he and family is permanently located in Welikada bungalow.
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Aia / August 2, 2016
The residence is not fit for a President turned to current MP but was good for a Minister turned to current President to live. MR seems to enjoy the cumulative of entitlements-perks and other benefits- associated to the both positions- being a MP as well as a past President. His was a typical case that SL hasn’t seen before, after the two terms Presidents draw whatever a past president is entitled to, and that is it.
But in MR’s case, not sure how his remuneration is being paid, is he getting the salary of a former President and a sitting MP or only salary of a MP. Or, is President salary being maintained?. He was able to worked out the parliament to go for a third term and went to poll prematurely believing people were with him, but people thought they had enough of him and taught him a lesson. For him, he couldn’t go quiet because he knew being active in politic is the only way to safeguard his family and him from potential law suits regarding misappropriation of state funds and alleged crimes committing murders. I think he is successful so far and his method of combating impending danger to his family seems working. Not in active politics, most of his partners would have turned themselves into state witness with plea bargain. One lesson we all can learn from MR is, that amassing wealth alone is not good enough, should also be doggedly in protecting it, of course the legitimacy of earning has been questioned, or he himself saw the potential to be questioned.
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owl / August 2, 2016
Do you know that Mrs Hema Premadasa has also been given a house, security and recently her presidential pension was raised to the same level as that of CBK ? Comments anyone ?? Her hubby left a fortune of 55 billion at his death – he had no professional qualifications and was a poor man when he entered politics. Comments anyone ????????
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bo / August 3, 2016
Yes take it off her hands. No need for rich people to be housed in luxury with tax payers money. Does not matter what party or who the VIP is, take these properties off their hands and let them live in their own homes. Have you seen or heard the President of the US, the PM of UK or President of France being given such luxury accommodation at tax payers expense after they have relinquished their offices. They have done their work like everyone else in the country because they wanted those jobs; they made enough money for themselves while holding the offices, and they get a fair pension proportional to their last salary. This rule of giving them extraordinary perks is ridiculous and I think people should have a French Style revolution to topple these selfish fake Kings and Queens of Sri Lanka.
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colomboset / August 2, 2016
A ‘bungalow’ doesn’t have ‘upstairs’ !!!
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mike / August 3, 2016
[Edited out]
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Gunapala W Senadeea / August 2, 2016
First of all I am really tickled at the horrible English some of the writers use. Sri Lankans are yet to master the
Queen’s/King’s English. High time they did it. I would suggest writing English through Sinhala, like
Why this Hora No Go to Jail ?
Gota Janadipathi Unoth apita Americawata Migrate Karanna Puluwan ?
Let MR,GTA/BASIL and the rest Sink or Swim…Who cares?
Leave these HORAS alone, and Let us mind our own business and try to get on with life.
What happened to the Greatest Country on the Planet…. Loken Utum Rata Lankawayi ? ( My Foot ! )
Where is the Bastard Gnanasara…Send him to USA, the Muslims in North America are waiting to take
good care of this Thug!
A note for the publisher…Hope you will have the BALLS to publish this.
Thanks !
GWP
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Harry / August 3, 2016
Dear G’pala – Don’t treat this as a media for an English Lesson, people had expressed their views with the knowledge they have possessed through the education system [just like base for the subject matter of this article], so if writers are not competent we all should take at least a partial responsibility for not helping them to alleviate to a better standard! Let’s think positive!
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Ruki / August 3, 2016
Gunapala –
Please know that this forum is not to show off one’s skills in the foreign language. What matters is if you are a concerned Sri Lankan,fro wherever you are in the world, to contribute to the discussion constructively to help build this country.
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punchisingho / August 2, 2016
Please publish a picture of the official residence given to the Leader of Opposition.
I am curious because Mr. Sambandan had been given a small house in an old flat in Colombo. I don’t know whether he is still there .
Punchisingho
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marlan .de.silva- canada / August 2, 2016
dose he really needs a mansion in colombo 07,as a respect because rousing people to topple the present government .hope he doesn’t have a wealth other than what his house got from his innocent decent parents ,like other past leaders they have their wealth to live in their own houses .that is why they didn’t cry for a house .hope they can’t go back to madamulana carlton palace and live like before they got used to temple trees life styles .he dosn’t have a self respect and decency to live like a retired president with all the fasilities that he gets and enjoy with the family friends and relatives .sad sad the way he behaves .
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Piranha / August 3, 2016
As far as I am aware no other country rewards its former leaders with a luxury house to live in except super rich Sri Lanka.
If any past leader who deserves a free luxury property it is certainly not the mega thief Rajapaksa who with his family looted the country.
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Roy / August 3, 2016
Chandrika looted as well.
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Ruki / August 3, 2016
Piranha –
No Prez in the history here was as corrupt as MR and never have I heard a whole family joining to rob the country this way. This would have been another North Korea if not for the courage shown by Prez Sirisena. These privileges are given to past Presidents here as a mark of respect or gratitude for what they did and when their retirement benefits were drafted initially, may be no one thought that someone as corrupt as MARA would emerge here faking as a son of Mother Lanka !
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Henry / August 3, 2016
UNP-JRJ regime who said ‘we can do anything other than making a man to woman and vise versa’had left with worst obstacles legislated by constitution like what is being reported in this news item and also with the Idiotic ‘MANAAPA'[Preferential] voting system that had allowed Jokers, Smugglers, Thugs get into parliament. No government will ever change these as everyone who comes to power is greedy to reap the benefits of this blunders’
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Craco Wanni / August 3, 2016
As a Sri Lankan away from the motherland, the above comments are from
all fools spitting on their own faces. Stop the shit talk and cultivate
morality and exercise good judgement in life./
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Roy / August 3, 2016
His excellency Mr Rajapakse deserves a better mansion than this. Mr. Rajapakse defeated Ealam terrorist for good.
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Hamlet / August 3, 2016
Ha! Ha! Roy! Are there more Bigoted Fools like you, who believe any Lies?
Was MR there At the Forefront, when Prabhakaran came waving His White Flag?
Then He would be answerable to the UN for Crimes against Humanity!
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Elizabeth Jonklass / August 3, 2016
That Mr. Roy is only one side of the coin. In fact it was Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe who came on TV in Jan 9, 2015, spoke in Sinhala to say that the Honour for ending the War should go to Mr. Rajapakse.
But we have to call him Jarapassa for the other side of the coin and a majority was convinced that he plundered the Economy and threw him out of office. The oppulence shown by his Princely sons and creating crown princes in democracies irked the seniors in his own party and naturally there was a well planned stab in the back action and the common candidate came out of the blue.
Had the first family been humble, really worked for the people reaching their heart, creating harmony among all communities of Sri Lanka and not facing allegations of amassing ill gotten wealth then no body would call him Jarapassa but address him the way you do.
Bad Luck! He asked for it!
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Vanguard / August 3, 2016
Nice whitewash – on the Bungalow I mean..
Make that alleged whitewash…
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