COLOMBO : Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has finally been compelled to vacate his ex-official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7, following the recent enactment of the President’s Entitlement Bill in Parliament. But one must ask: should it have taken the force of law for him to move back to Carlton, Tangalle? Wouldn’t it have been more dignified to vacate voluntarily after his electoral defeat? For a former Head of State, overstaying in an official residence is unbecoming and undermines the standards expected of such high office.
This is also an opportunity for the current President, A.K. Dissanayake, to put these valuable state properties to better use for the people. For instance, converting the spacious Wijerama Mawatha premises into a school could ease the immense difficulty families face in securing admission to government schools. Similarly, other ex-presidential residences could be repurposed into hospitals or community facilities to meet the growing demand for free education and free healthcare, especially during these challenging economic times.
Such a step would send a strong message that public property exists for the public good—not for the privileges of selected past leaders.
Mohamed Zahran
