The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to lease several Presidential Residences for long‑term tourism investment projects, aiming to make better economic use of state‑owned properties.

The residences, located in Bentota, Kataragama, Mahiyanganaya, Embilipitiya, and Anuradhapura, were originally built for official and leisure use by past presidents. 

However, they are not currently utilized by the incumbent President. Despite their high architectural and economic value, the residences continue to incur significant state expenditure for maintenance, security, and related costs under the Presidential Secretariat.

Taking into account recommendations from a committee appointed to identify mechanisms for the productive use of government‑owned bungalows, houses, and residences, the Cabinet endorsed the plan to invite proposals from suitable investors. 

The initiative is expected to integrate these properties into the tourism sector, generating revenue while preserving their cultural and architectural significance. (Newswire)

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Approximately 35,000 schoolchildren have visited various educational landmarks around Colombo, including the President’s House, over the past two years.

The educational landmarks include the Presidential Secretariat in the Old Parliament Building, Harbour City, the Central Bank, the Parliament, and the Lotus Tower.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), this unprecedented initiative was launched under the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, guided by the Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, and led by the Tri-Force Security Coordination Office of the Presidential secretariat. The program was a collaborative effort involving the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Education, and the National Youth Services Council.

During this educational field trip, students were able to view documentaries and artefacts that highlight significant milestones in Sri Lanka’s democratic history. They also had the unique opportunity to interact with the President, the Secretary to the President and Chief of the Presidential Staff and Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Sagala Ratnayaka.

Students from over 160 schools across the island, including those from remote areas far from Colombo, have joined this field trip, and the program is ongoing. 

Additionally, at the President’s invitation, several sessions of the Student Parliament and Youth Parliament have been held in the Chamber Hall of the Old Parliament, located in the Presidential Secretariat. The goal is to enhance students’ leadership skills by giving them a deeper understanding of the state governance system. Lectures were conducted to educate students on the themes of administration and the roles within government.

The session was chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, with Speaker to the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, several Ministers, the Secretary General of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, and Parliament staff also participated. (Newswire)

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The Bribery Commission has informed that further action will not be taken with regard to the incident where cash amounting to Rs. 17.8 million was found in the room of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo by protesters in 2022. 

Presenting facts to the judiciary, the Bribery Commission said that the decision had been taken due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The Bribery Commission had informed the Fort Magistrate’s Court in this regard when the case was taken up for hearing on Wednesday (Oct 18). 

An earlier request by the former President to return the money to him was rejected by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage in February this year. 

Following mass protests in July 2022, several anti-government protesters stormed the President’s Official residence in Fort and found nearly Rs. 17.8 million in cash in the former President’s room.

The cash was counted and handed over to officers of the Fort Police Station by the protesters after which the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had launched investigations into the matter. (NewsWire)

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