President’s House in Colombo opened for public from today
President’s House in Colombo and the Gordon Park will be opened for the public and the school children from today (8th June) to 14th June according to a decision made by the President Maithripala Sirisena.
This will be the first time in the history that the Colombo’s President’s House, which was used by 29 governors and six Presidents for their official and residential purposes is opened for the public.
The inauguration ceremony in this regard will be held under the patronage of the President Sirisena today at 2.00 p.m.
The President’s House and the surrounding area had been designated as a high-security area during period of the former President Rajapaksa.
Although, the President Maithripala Sirisena does not use it as his official residence and it is used only for special occasions including welcoming the state guests.
This palace has been built in the period of Dutch Governance and the first British Governor who resided in this palace was Sir Thomas Maitland. After that, 29 British Governors has resided in this palace and Sir Robert Horton and John Anderson were the outstanding persons among them.
(Government News Portal)
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The reason given by the Hon. President for non occupation is very true and highly exemplary as an admission of fact. He will lose his head and those of his family members if they were exposed to high luxurious living .
Very True indeed .
Even Lord Buddha imposed a probationary period for those outside Sakyan clan before absorption to the Order of Bhikku Brotherhood. Sakyans were of Royal lineage. Dasa Raja Dharma were in their blood.
Well now you can’t say he is a laying duck.
Now you cannot say he didn’t do anything for the country.
I would like to see a more analytical outcome of the President’s decision to live away from the Janadhipathi Mandiraya.
The Mandhiraya has all the facilities for the president to conduct his office. It has meeting rooms, entertainment rooms, and other places for conducting formal dinners etc for foreign dignitaries with large crowd participation.
It has top class security including the bunker where progeny of the previous ruling family conducted post-rugby match orgies.
Due to its extensive infrastructure, the operations and maintenance costs of the facility are high.
On the other hand, the president lives in a Government House in Paget Road which had hardly any infrastructure to enable the conduct of his duties. I remember the president’s Office having sought a billion rs. or so from Parliament to build infrastructure in that residence.
Given that the president’s term ends in 2020, a benefit cost analysis would have painted the correct picture. Saying to school kids that it is not liveable because of high water and electricity costs doesn’t appeal to the discerning mind.
If the Janadhipathi Mandiraya is a white elephant, bulldoze it to the ground, backfill the bunker and make it a lovely park for the public amidst the concrete jungle in Fort.
I think this idea is original and as in the famous legend about the king who not only inducted a pleb to occupy the throne with the obvious outcome.
I think sirisena ought to share the presidency with a tamilian. a muslim or a peasant and Sirisena decisions compare favourably with those of the provisional deputies