Luxury House for Gotabaya Rajapaksa

It was alleged (since denied) that the Minister of Foreign Affairs had alloted his official residence to Gotabaya Rajapaksa who resigned under pressure from the public. The question arises whether Rajapaksa is entitled to such benefits as he had not completed his full term of office.

The Constitution specifically states in Chapter VII- “THE EXECUTIVE – The President of the Republic shall be elected by the people and shall hold office for a term of six years”. It is the government policy when a government officer resigns or is dismissed from service, he is not entitled to his pension. If he was in occupation of official quarters he had to vacate them.

Please note this query is only out of academic interest and not with any hatred or malice.

It would have been a magnanimous gesture if GR had gone back to his own home in Mirihana and done his usual walk along the beautiful Bellanwila jogging track and lake which stands to his credit. Not only will it be an example to other greedy politicians who swindle government property but improve his own image in the public eye.

GADS Via e-mail