Mahinda in no Mood to Vacate

Rajapaksa’s media spokesperson, lawyer Manoj Gamage, emphasized that unless a valid written notice is given, Rajapaksa will not vacate the house.  

During a public meeting held in Galgamuwa on February 1, President Dissanayake stated that for no reason will the government allow Rajapaksa to remain in his current official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Demand fora Letter 

"The people’s freedom front is a government that came to power lawfully.  they don’t need to travel around the country to tell Rajapaksa to leave the official residence. They should have just issued a letter. But why aren’t they doing that? Because they know they cannot do it. Under the current legal provisions, they have no power to do so, and they are trying to create a sense of urgency by threatening Rajapaksa to vacate the official residence," he said.

Gamage further clarified that the current official residence where Rajapaksa is residing is not one he obtained during his presidential tenure. It was provided to him by the good governance government that came to power in 2015.

“I want to remind the President and the government that it is not Rajapaksa, but the government that gave him the official residence. If the government issues a written notice for him to vacate, he will respect that and leave. However, he will not leave due to any threatening statements,” he added.

Meanwhile, on February 1, addressing the media, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala stated that no letter would be issued to Rajapaksa, and that if he has "a sense of responsibility," he should vacate the official residence.

“If he rejects the request to vacate, legal provisions will be presented to Parliament in the coming days. Then he will have to comply with the legal provisions,” he stated. When asked about the government's issuing of a letter, he responded, "We will not issue a letter, but legal provisions will be presented in the future. He will have to vacate in accordance with the law."

In response to this statement, Gamage emphasized that under the current legal provisions, it is not possible to request Rajapaksa to vacate the residence. He pointed out that the government representatives have admitted this by acknowledging that they cannot act under the current circumstances.

"They are accepting that they cannot act under the current conditions by stating they will introduce new laws without issuing a letter. What is more important is that the government has accepted this situation. Advisors should guide the President in the proper way," he said.

General Secretary of the Sri Lanka People’s Front, Sagara Kariyawasam, stated that Rajapaksa is ready to vacate the official residence if the government issues a formal notice. He clarified during a media briefing in Colombo yesterday (3) that the official residence was legally allocated to Rajapaksa by the good governance government, and therefore, it must be formally notified to vacate. If such a notification is given, Rajapaksa will immediately vacate the residence, and there will be no need for further public statements on the matter. Kariyawasam also pointed out that after the allocation of the official residence, the government should take responsibility for any threats to Rajapaksa's life.

"This official residence was legally allocated to Rajapaksa, and he accepted it. If he needs to vacate the residence, you must formally notify him. Then he will leave immediately, without hesitation," he said. He also stressed that if the government tries to dishonor Rajapaksa by attempting to force him to vacate the residence, they (Sri Lanka People’s Front) will not allow it.

President Dissanayake and his government have pledged to reduce privileges, including official residences, granted to former Presidents. Former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (1994-2005), Mahinda Rajapaksa (2005-2015), and Maithripala Sirisena (2015-2019) are currently residing in official residences provided by the government