Govt trying to force Mahinda out of official residence :Sagara

(Updated)The water connection to a building, adjacent to the official residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, formerly used by his security was discontinued today.

The General Secretary of the Podu Jana Peramuna Sagara Kariyawasam told Timesonline that the water connection had been disconnected in the building which earlier occupied by army officials who provided security to the former President.

The army officers with withdrawn due to the reduction of the security of the former President.

Mr Kariywasam added that there had been no water connection interruption in the area occupied by the former president Rajapaksa.

“ Cabinet  ministers as well as the President said that they would write to the former president calling him to vacate the residence.  At that moment we too called them to do so and send a letter in writing, yet they failed to do that”, he added.

He claimed that the government is unable to walk the talk and submit a letter, but had turned to other ways to get the former president to vacate the house by disrupting basic requirements such as water and electricity.

The party General Secretary said that the official residence for a president is not a privilege but a right which is backed by an Act and therefore the move taken by the government is wrong.

 “President Rajapaksa is a former president, yet requires more security than the current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as he ended the 30 year civil war” he said.

Meanwhile the National Water Supply and Drainage Board clarifying their position has issued a statement.

The statement said that the water had been disconnected due to a non-payment of a bill of Rs 429, 000.

The NWSDB confirmed that the water connection was disconnected of a building adjoining to the Former President’s residence at Wijerama Mawatha.