Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is preparing to vacate his official residence in Wijerama, Colombo, following the government’s recent move to strip retired presidents of their long-held privileges.
The decision comes after the passage of a new bill that removed the entitlement of former heads of state to live in government-provided official residences. In the wake of the change, Rajapaksa is now searching for a suitable rented house in Colombo to settle into during his retirement years.
Although he has long preferred his ancestral home in Medamulana, sources reveal that traveling from Hambantota to Colombo frequently has become impractical. The considerable distance, combined with the need for easy access to medical treatment for his ongoing health conditions, has made relocation within Colombo a more realistic option.
Several suggestions for potential houses have been made, but no final decision has yet been reached. Security remains a major obstacle, with residences under consideration being closely scrutinized for their ability to provide adequate protection to the former president.
Rajapaksa’s children also own private residences, but concerns about their security facilities have ruled them out as options for his permanent stay. The matter continues to be evaluated as the former president transitions to life without state-sponsored housing for the first time since leaving office.
The move marks a historic moment, as Rajapaksa becomes the first Sri Lankan leader to be directly affected by the new law on retired presidential privileges. His search for a private home has already sparked political debate over the long-standing benefits once enjoyed by the country’s former heads of state.
