Issue over allocation of Opposition Leader's residence to Sampanthan

Plans to provide an official residence for the former Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan has run into an issue after the Minister of Pubic Administration sought clarification on the matter,  officials said.

The Minister has sought clarification after officials pointed out that similar facilities will have to be afforded to former opposition leaders and former Prime Ministers.

But, Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena has already told Parliament that there were no issues in handing over the house to the former Opposition Leader Sampanthan.

Minister of Public Administration Janaka Bandara Tennakoon has pointed out that as a result of allocating the house to Mr Sampanthan, there has been a issue in allocating a house to the current opposition Leader in Parliament, Sajith Premadasa .

Mr Sampanthan was using the official residence from 2017 and had been allowed to use it again though he was not the opposition Leader.