28 March, 2024

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Rajapaksa Justifies Building His Luxury Underground Bunker

Responding to allegations of constructing a bunker with spacious facilities underneath the President’s House in Colombo Fort, former President President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that the facility was built during the war time for security reasons.

Mahinda April 12 2015Speaking at a public function in Colombo, Rajapaksa said that there was a similar facility at Temple Trees as well.

He said that authorities should refrain from divulging such details and identified it as a serious breach of sensitive security information being leaked to the media.

Rajapaksa also identified the leaking of information regarding the facility to the media as another attempt in a series of similar deliberately orchestrated events to tarnish his and his family’s image.

The media recently reported with pictures, about an ‘underground bunker’ with spacious facilities constructed at the Presidential House in Fort during the former government’s tenure.

The construction of the said underground bunker reportedly began during the war but ended after the war was over.

According to reports, the two storey underground facility also has an electrical elevator and a 24-hour automatic air-conditioning system.

It also consists a half completed tunnel with the exit towards the port reportedly built for a secret escape if necessary. Media reports say despite Rajapksa’s claims the facility was frequently used by his sons.

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Latest comments

  • 29
    6

    So where is the account for this? MR seemed to have made a lot of hay while the sun shined. What was his commission?

    Never have I seen or heard of an emergency bunker to this level of luxury. Not even in the UK, one time at risk from a nuclear strike, would one find a bunker to this standard for the head of the government. So, what was the head of SLK government going to do when there was an emergency……… sleep right through it in his comfortable 4-poster bed, with his family sleeping in adjacent luxuriously appointed bedrooms. Or was something else going on here? What a joker!

    • 16
      3

      This the like were reported from Gadfi s too at that time. Rajapkses in all in all are akin to the style of any dictators that destroyed nations and countries. In the days to come, with reveal all the bank details filled with billiions of people s funds, this man s and his family nature will be even more clear – we see the light at the tunnel in terms of investigations. People have been waiting with much patience.

      • 12
        3

        If there was a clear threat that LTTE would bomb Colombo, why were the citizens of Colombo not told to build bunkers in there homes and gardens? Why did Mahinda Jarapassa need 2 luxury bunkers?!

        Jarapassa spend lavishly on protecting his own life while normal people could be bombed by the LTTE?

        What sort of leadership is this? What sort of joke is this?

        • 4
          3

          So that the whole nation could die of LTTE bombing and long lives the king with his court jesters and soothsayers – ruling his own people!!! What a joke,

      • 14
        3

        Why is this corrupt crook, Mahinda Jarapassa still at large?
        The ‘parliamentary privileges’ of the corrupt must be removed.

        He should be behind bars, but the Ayahapalanaya Prime Minister is busy bailing out Wimal Weerawansa and letting Rajapaksa continue to delude the moda Sinhala masses.

        Ranil Wickramasinghe – so called Prime Minister should be charged in court for promoting a culture of immunity and impunity and massive political corruption in the country.

        Ranil is playing a shell game with the law and undermining the course of the law by asking for the release of Weerawansa who was arrested fro having 2 passports like his wife. Ranil has insulted airport security and the police.

        • 2
          0

          True,
          Ranil the man aiding & abetting corruption, abuse of power, promoting impunity, should know he has no shell to hide if he cannot deliver better tomorrow for countrymen , unlike MR who had “War Victory” umbrella to protect his all evils , though he too finally failed.

          So Ranil is living very dangerously , it’s a matter of time before he gets kicked out by people.

          Ranil lies won’t make him a hero. His colours will disappear in no time like tiny water drops after the Sunrise

    • 6
      1

      Prabakharan’s ghost has taught to build luxury bunkers.

      Will Maithiri open the doors of the bunkers for the tourists?

      A shrine has to be built for BBS’s Gnanasara.

      • 1
        1

        Why doesn’t CT publish some photos of the Interior of this so called ‘Luxury Bunker’ So that we would know, to what heights the Rajapakse Greed could Rise?

    • 3
      7

      @bo

      You DO know there is a massive complex beneath No.10, right ? And in other areas around the country. And that London alone is probably one of the largest underground shelters on the planet ? If you doubt, just read up on where Londoners took shelter during WWII bombings

    • 5
      8

      Bo No your ignorance of security in western countries are well below zero . Even Buckingham palace is allegedly reported to have. Bunkers even without any threats ! Update your knowledge . MR has responded to the bunkers that. Piranhakaran had , if it is good for VP why not the President of SL which we should well protect .

      • 1
        2

        To Sarojini and maalumiris. I know what you are talking about,and I can tell you that they are nothing of the sort that we saw under the ground at Fort. All bunkers are hardy places with command posts installed in them from where operations could be directed and controlled; In western countries leaders of the government are at hand at command posts, and not sleeping and farting in their 4-poster beds. In emergency bunkers domestic accommodation is minimal to sustain life for short periods of war. Where exactly is in MR’s bunker the command post located, and where is the communication centre, the filtration system for NBC agents (show us the photos of these installations in this bunker) except a massive air conditioning system to keep the corrupt king and his family plus dancing girls cool. Why there are normal, but elegant showers made with marble walls that could shatter in case of vibrations. Why there are chandeliers of Italian design, instead of reinforced and leak proof electric lighting. Of course MR’s pet talk as to why he needed this bunker is exactly pitched to the levels of foolish people like you. Yeah yeah, whatever the crook says is right for you. Problem with you guys is that you read your imagination into reality, whereas, reality in real is nowhere near your imagination. It is clear to me that both of you are fantazisers and have had no military experience or of any bunkers, ever in your life!

        • 3
          1

          Bo how amazing for you to describe the bunkers in the west and MR s . You seem to know it all ..
          How come ????

  • 23
    4

    Didn’t he pay the LTTE not to touch them ? He was never a target of LTTE. Bloody crook. Did he think he was the President of USA ?

    Sone day this scum will end like Saddam / Gaddafi .

  • 21
    3

    Why are we talking and listening to this EX leader , deposed and rejected by majority who is a congenital Liar ,a crook, and involved with murder cases . He should be in prison not given this kind of publicity as same as his stooge who was allowed to leave the country should not have been given permission by the PM while so many accusations and cases pending.
    What is this country ?? Made a Laughing stock by this kind of law and order.
    The other man was allowed to go and make hate speeches against the present government and present rulers.

    • 20
      3

      It is the media that makes it a hell hot situation. Srilanken media are literally irresponsible. Derana still gives higher publicity to MR and what he has to say. As you articulate it clearly – this man should have sent to Jail long ago.
      With reveal of all the high profile money grabs, may be this man will have to face it soon. Until then media should not consdier his views as should be focused.

    • 8
      22

      The NFF leader forgot to take his original Passport to the airport. Everyone makes mistakes so forgive and forget.

      • 16
        4

        Gemunu Weeraya

        “The NFF leader forgot to take his original Passport to the airport.”

        Which was the original?

        The old passport which he had lost and found.
        The second passport replacing the first one which he lost in between.
        Third passport he obtained on the day of travel.

        Could you give us the name, passport number and date of issue so as to reconcile the discrepencies in the date and time.

        How many passports does his wife possess?

        Could you give us the name, passport number and date of issue so as to reconcile the discrepencies in the date and time.

        • 7
          0

          …and don’t forget to check the dates of birth on all passports.

      • 7
        2

        It is not a cad e of forgetting the passport. First his wife had two passports one obtained illegally. He must have deliberately lost his passport to get a new one. It is a scam when he is going to Dubai as a proxy to hide his masters money. If he gets nailed he will produce his new passport and say he never travelled. He can claim in the courts that he lost he is passport and somebody else used it. He is trying to make all Srlankan Booruwas. I hope everyone gets it

  • 14
    5

    Two underground luxury bunkers – only a brutal military dictator wants them to hide in – from terrorists, from his own troops and political enemies – apart from security provided by a 5,000 strong ‘presidential security division’ of elite bodyguards.

    • 8
      3

      ” only a brutal military dictator wants them to hide in – from terrorists, from his own troops and political enemies “

      You must be thinking of the US President. The VP Dick Cheney took refuge in the WH bunker during 9/11 and assumed command while GB was cowering elsewhere.

      • 7
        5

        Ram

        “The VP Dick Cheney took refuge in the WH bunker during 9/11 and assumed command while GB was cowering elsewhere.”

        Good.

        Therefore, are you demanding MR should be given free hand to bomb, kill, …. destroy communities wherever and whenever he wants to?

  • 5
    18

    During the 2nd world war Hitler was inside the Bunker so why cannot MR and his family stay in a bunker.

    • 20
      7

      Why not? MR and all the rotters should have been put inside the bunker and the lid should have been sealed, to allow them to rot inside.

    • 7
      1

      @Gemunu Weeraya,
      First of all one needs to use brains before casting the first stone. What is the point of “luxury bunkers” when the enemy attacks with precision to target the power grid, back up generators, the drinking water supply and communication towers as they did with many of our camps in the North. Do you mean to tell us that this luxury bunker has its own air purification system against chemical and biological warfare, power station, reservoir, back up communication/signalling systems and seal proof pads/pods from noxious fumes to protect those seeking refuge, so that those holding out can survive in there for days and weeks? If one needs to hide from a temporary air raid, then what is needed is an inexpensive air raid shelter (ARS) and not a bunker. Inexpensive and solid structures scatter through out Israel saving the lives of their citizens. Most shelters can defend from rockets, missiles, bunker busting bombs, lethal chemical and gas attacks. From the looks of it, this looks like a underground luxury hotel like what Gaddafi had built to sexually exploit, rape and torture young women from area universities. The innocent victims were kidnapped, gagged, drugged, tested for sexual diseases and then fed to please Gadafi’s sexual appetite. This is one reason as to why president Regan castigated Gadaffi as a “rabid and lunatic dog”. Do you think Mahinda is any better?

    • 2
      1

      So was Churchill

  • 14
    2

    Gemunu. Are you whitewashing your masters black linen??
    The bunkers were built if and when the public came to know of his and his familiy’s dark side he thought of the only way to avoid from getting stoned by them is to HIDE in the bunkers . Similar to the scenes of Gadaffi, Marcos family ,,the cheated public went to punish their leader. The cowards of SL would never do such things.
    The citizens of SL are trained pussy cats or lap dogs by political leaders and religious leaders.

    The people have no guts to retaliate against their leaders even when the leaders have looted the state wealth.
    This bugger built The bunkers for his family to play games and enjoy themselves on the state.

    • 5
      0

      “The citizens of SL are trained pussy cats or lap dogs by political leaders……”

      Why are we Sri Lankans holding ‘Pandang’ to Uneducated Politicians?

      Why don’t we appreciate those Educated Sri Lankans who have achieved Renown in the Wider World, in their Respective Fields?
      The Media does not even bring them to our Notice? Is that because Sri Lankans traditionally like to ‘Cut Down Their Tall Poppies’?

  • 14
    5

    MR and his cronies will never give up their campaign of misinformation to deceive the people. They will justify any wrong doing and act as innocent. However, they cannot fool the bull of the masses for ever.

  • 3
    4

    This is another “Gimmick” deployed to “Distract” the attention of the people from those “Underground” MASSIVE “OFF SHORE” Bank Accounts held by the VVIP and their siblings. Also this is another crafty publicity campaign to pull “wool and steel” over the eyes of the pubic as regards the on going investigations by the FCID and the Presidential Commission entrusted with the task of looking into the very people who constructed those “Bunkers”. Isn’t it better to go and get those MEGA DEALS and MEGA CORRUPTION of these “Bunker Builders” sorted out EXPEDITIOUSLY than to waste time on talking to students on these “Basement Compartments” of Palaces.?

  • 1
    0

    The surroundings around the presidential residense is loverly. It had bunkes of old. Defence ministry, Standard chartered bank, GPO dep. Imigration… makes it important hit list. Here deligates can talk with minimum spying by the west.

  • 0
    0

    The surroundings around the presidential residense is loverly. It had bunkes of old. Defence ministry, Standard chartered bank, GPO dep. Imigration… makes it important hit list. Here deligates can talk with minimum spying by the west. A loverly garden. The encampents the light house.

  • 9
    2

    ok let us say its a bunker. Then why a four-poster bed, Italian chandeliers, marble bathrooms. Is this a bunker or a high class brothel? I think it is the latter! Who was supplying the girls? The Madam from Liberty Plaza?

    • 2
      2

      Thrisu, this man will come up with an another lie to cover the prevous one. But do you ever think that the bugger could save it in the near future. As no other the man is abusive. People should finally realize – that they should be ashamed to see that they voted for the bugger allowing the repsentation of the nation.

  • 3
    3

    Ofcourse my looter friend & family, anything to extract funds from the government so you and your gutter snipe goons can benefit in the process. #Thieves

  • 5
    2

    Check for stains on the walls of the tunnel (you know, Siripala bithiye). I’m sure the sons used it to abduct innocent women and even boy’s to satisfy their illegal fetishes and illicit deeds. Imagine the nonsense that would have taken place inside this?. What a waste!!!. #HellAwaitsYou

  • 4
    2

    Escape from what? From the LTTE? So the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces escapes through the tunnel and sails away in a submarine to China perhaps, leaving us to be massacred by the LTTE?

    Very brave indeed!

    I have a more plausible explanation. Despotic leaders have this fear of being under siege by enemies, but most of all by his own people and build such hiding places. Hitler did it. Many other cowards who go as leaders have done it.

    He says the revelation is a breach of security and goes on in the same breath to make a breach himself by saying there is ne under the Temple Trees. None of us knew about that, did we?

    I wonder how many more are there and are not being revealed because of security.

  • 4
    2

    “tarnish your image’ you bloody fool, you and your family have done that singlehandedly, dont cry woolf now, and cry on someones shoulder who will listen

  • 4
    8

    Here is the white house bunker. Every nation has a command bunker in case of emergencies.

    https://whitehouse.gov1.info/underground.html

    That is an average class accommodation most folks have these days. A slightly lavish one for the head of state is OK.

    These should be state secrets. I am not sure why these are paraded to everyone by a govt with responsibility for national security.

  • 4
    6

    The LTTE leaders also had a bunker, paid for by taxpayers or non taxpayers I dont know.

  • 6
    1

    An underground bunker is ok. I fully understand the requirement. An A/C too is ok. But where MR dodges and confuses everybody is when he avoids talking about all the other super luxury trappings.

  • 3
    2

    Mara: I am afraid of LTTE which is having military, Navy and Air force. That’s why i built it.

    I want to live 100 yrs. I am merely a human being. So I have that justifiable desire ah. why are you blaming me?

  • 8
    2

    Hitler had one. Gaddafi had one. Sadam had one. Praba had one.

    So, why not Moustach?

    • 0
      1

      @EDWIN RODRIGO
      “Hitler had one. Gaddafi had one. Sadam had one. Praba had one”

      You have one, I have one; We all have one. Churchill had a long one. But my father has a short one. My mother always uses my fathers one. Guess What?

      Don’t be vulgar guys; I was only thinking of a name.

  • 8
    2

    This bloody so called bunker to protect MARA from terrorists is an absolute disgrace. [Edited out].This MARA and his crooked vulgar progeny now try to pose off as holier than thou protector of the Sinhala Buddhist culture. These Buggers are like Ghadaffis Rapist sons and no different from the trash that they represent. These fellows Billion Dollar Dubai accounts must be soon investigated and these crooked punks brought before a court of justice.

  • 2
    1

    BUNK

    I have looked at the pictures of the interior of this “bunker”, and my amazement at the adaptable vibrancy of the language of Shakespeare, grows.

    When I next come to Colombo, I may ask the Galadari Hotel, for a comparative suite in their “bunker”.

  • 5
    0

    This Present Govt called Yahapalanaya is helping the crooks in the covering up of loots and murders.
    Get them hell out of the Parliament and Bring on an election to punish these past scoundrels and THE present APOLOGISTS FOR THE CROOKS.
    HELL WITH IT.

  • 3
    4

    My Gut feeling is that this Bunker was built to be used as a sophisticated Massage Parlour for the exclusive use of the Rajapakse family.

    The half completed tunnel with the exit towards the Port,is probably due to change of earlier plans!

  • 3
    4

    Bunkers are concrete structures built underground to protect from potential bombing. It will not last for days. But this is luxury two-storeyed apartment with rooms and bathrooms for long stay.

    Mara has spent public money for his protection. It has to be recovered from him for this waste.

  • 1
    3

    What a ridiculous idea. This was a waste of tax payer money, and again it shows the previous regime made a bad judgement to build something no one needs, and some commission must have gone to someone’s deep pockets.

    I hope the present regime will not stoop to such bad decision, although the signs are not looking good for the people of this country. We are living in a dictatorship, where the leaders are doing what the hell they want, and no one dares to object.

  • 1
    2

    Everybody remembers the underground meditation center that was discovered near Kiribathgoda.

    Now we have these to so called ‘bunkers’ built for called ‘security reasons’. The White House bunker has been mentioned as an example. The matter of fact is that many bunkers were built in the US for use by civilians and the military to protect them against a nuclear attack from the USSR during the cold war.

    There is also a vast facility under Colorado Mountains which houses the command center for detecting incoming ICBM’s and launching nuclear counter attacks against the attacker.

    Of course, we have no idea, which countries Moustache considered evil enough to launch a pre-emptive nuclear attack on little Sri Lanka. But he in his infinite wisdom built these to protect himself so that he can emerge from hiding, clear up the rubble and carry on leading as if nothing happened.

    It is also possible that Elves, Hobbits and Fairies built this to protect the Janathawa from the leader. If the leader becomes excessively obnoxious, the Janathawa can simply lock him up in the bunker and throw the key away in the Hambantota harbor.

    This strategy is called MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) a sort of pact between the leader and the Janathawa. You get me – I get you.

    Whatever, it may be, the bunker makes the work of Yamapallas easier because they have to travel less to get at the culprits. As they don’t have to surface at all they can also complete the mission covertly.

  • 0
    2

    Innocent people are suffering with kidney problems and many patients suffer at the cancer hospital without proper medicines and this scumbag building underground palaces. I wonder where God is?

    • 1
      2

      But very same innocient people are easily being manipulated by Rajapakshes even today. I think failure lies on people. They are just donkeys as no other. They dont care about anything but any petty gains. Nor would they want to see anything right. Every 2nd of the nation is a highly corrupted.

  • 3
    1

    I cannot believe the idiotic comments and responses to this story. First, it is high stupidity from the current government to disclose these things. Country at war needs to protect her leaders. Underground bunkers are not something new. Second, there are high number of narrow minded people in this country. Blame MR for corruption and other misdeeds but to vilify him for doing this does not make any sense. He finished the war and country is at peace. Yes there are issues to be addressed but they are nothing compared to the war. We at least have to be thankful for that. Please don’t tell me General Fonseka finished the war. Only uneducated or ignorant people say that.

    • 0
      1

      Shan you are absolutely right. The Commandr in Chief has to be safe to defend the country.

      Based on such thinking, MR was only trying to protect himself from the bombers (the micro light air craft) of LTTE and not against a nuclear attack. These aircraft carried several bombs weighing 1 or 2 kg each could have done a lot of damage on his nice looking face and the moustache if they exploded nearby.

      • 1
        0

        So you think if LTTE suicide airplane crash into President’s House with explosives, MR or any leaders of the country are going to escape with only scratches. I am not a military expert but that thinking looks very naive to me.

        Didn’t MR live in Temple Trees instead of President’s House?

    • 0
      1

      It is not the fact that a fox hole had been built for the fox to escape the wolves; the fact at issue is the extravagance and excessive expenditure in gold plating this fox hole, which certainly does not demonstrate that it has been ever intended as an operational command centre, but a cosy and secretive place for sleeping and entertaining. With the sort of money spent on this, the army could have got a score of battle tanks or any other weapons they desired, or given the soldiers a decent pay rise. MR does not appear to have been playing his fair share when the remainder of the country were going through hard times; the selfish man has been only concerned with wallowing in luxury and taxing the citizen to pay for his excesses, but publicly deceiving the people with his false and pretentious camera opportunities. The man was mean, selfish and fraudulent, carving out for himself a disproportionate share of the national revenue when he was also the Minister for Finance, supposed to be the guardian of the national treasury and ensuring fair play in apportioning budgets . If he was a caring man he would have come down to the level of the common man.

    • 0
      1

      Re Fonseka, go play back the old news reels. It is MR himself that acknowledged and decorated General Fonseka for his leading role in the strategy for the final war that lead to final victory. You are just a mouth piece trying to rewrite the history according to fake Dutugemunus, retrospectively. History cannot be rewritten. It has happened and nobody could twist it afterwards even though crooked writers are employed by greedy rulers trying to create forgeries.

      • 1
        0

        He was only the Army Commander, not the Commander in Chief. He has no power to stop if MR wants to declare a ceasefire under pressure from the West. Oh well….. Why bother.

  • 2
    1

    You are justifying bulding a luxurious palace underground to excape from terrorist attacks. That is fine. But why import everything from ITALY? There is no furniture in Sri Lanka? Carpets? Toiletteries? Yeah you needed the KAPPAM (BRIBES) from that too. Mega MILLIONS. Good! Its good lessons for the VILLAGE JACK ASSES who voted you FOX to the throne.

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