Colombo (Sri Lanka), September 12 (HS): Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has announced that she will vacate her official residence within two months, following the implementation of the Presidential Entitlements (Repeal) Act. Kumaratunga, who served as President from 1994 to 2005, confirmed that she would move into her new house in Colombo once renovations are completed.

According to a report by the Daily Mirror, her new residence in Colombo is currently under renovation. As per regulations, any occupant of an official residence must be given a three-month notice before vacating the premises. Kumaratunga, however, said she would be able to move out within two months.

The former President recently recovered from hip surgery after a fall three weeks ago. She admitted that post-surgery mobility issues hinder her from climbing stairs. “I have been allotted a very small house, which is under repair. My son will assist me for a week, as I require physiotherapy two to three times a day and cannot visit the site myself yet,” she stated.

Kumaratunga expressed regret that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake rejected her request to continue staying at the official residence by paying the stipulated rent for life. She noted that ageing and health problems, including two bouts of cancer in the last 15 years, made relocation especially difficult.

Recalling her long stay at the government residence, she said, “When I moved here, there was nothing but gravel—no grass at all.” She added that while she once owned a house on Rosmead Place in Colombo, it was sold years ago and she has since been sustaining herself on that money.

The former President also remarked that neighboring India treats its former heads of state better, pointing out that Indian Presidents are at least granted official accommodation for life.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar