President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s (AKD) Government has made many changes to the political and government cultures that had existed thus far. Key among them is the decision by the new Government not to use any official residences allocated for the President, Prime Minister, and ministers.

Both the President and Prime Minister have decided only to use the offices allotted to them and have refused the official residences offered to them.

Temple Trees, which was first established as the official residence of the Prime Minister, is now being used only for events. During the tenures of former governments, Temple Trees was used as both an official residence and an office.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga used Temple Trees as a residence and office during her brief tenure as Prime Minister. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa continued to use Temple Trees as his official residence and maintained an office there even after assuming office as President. Former Prime Ministers Ranil Wickremesinghe and Dinesh Gunawardena used Temple Trees only as an office and refrained from using it as a residence.

However, incumbent Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has decided not to use Temple Trees at all. It is learnt that the Prime Minister has decided only to use the office premises assigned to the Prime Minister on Flower Road, Colombo 7. She also continues to occupy her private residence and has decided not to move into Temple Trees either.

Temple Trees therefore is now being used only for official events.