{"id":138358,"date":"2015-02-01T20:15:25","date_gmt":"2015-02-01T14:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=138358"},"modified":"2015-02-09T03:31:16","modified_gmt":"2015-02-08T22:01:16","slug":"rs-157-million-spent-for-entertainment-in-presidential-palaces-in-novdec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/rs-157-million-spent-for-entertainment-in-presidential-palaces-in-novdec\/","title":{"rendered":"Rs. 157 Million Spent For Entertainment In Presidential Palaces In Nov\/Dec"},"content":{"rendered":"

A whopping Rs. 157 million had been spent by the Rajapaksas on food and beverages alone in entertaining those who visited the many \u2018Presidential palaces\u2019 that were built in various locations in the country during the Rajapaksa regime.<\/p>\n

\"Mahinda<\/a>President Maithripala Sirisena<\/span><\/a> during an interview on ITN last night revealed that in the months of November and December last year, Rs. 157 million had been spent to treat guests who visited the many Presidential palaces located in Fort, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Nuwaraeliya, Embilipitiya, Mahiyangana, Kataragama as well as a brand new \u2018co-ordination center\u2019 that had been constructed in Tangalle \u2013 the hometown of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.<\/p>\n

He also said that a brand new, luxurious airplane worth 16 million USD<\/span><\/a> had been ordered for the exclusive use of President Rajapaksa<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was due to be delivered to Sri Lanka by next month. However, following discussions the Prime Minister, the Ministers and I halted the importation of the aircraft and allocated those finances to purchase spare parts for the aircraft that are currently used by Sri Lankan and Mihin Lanka Airlines,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n