The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government has submitted evaluation reports on all official residences under its purview that were previously allocated to ministers, to the Presidential Secretariat.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, subject Minister Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna said that the Presidential Secretariat had informed the ministry to submit all the information related to the official residences.

“Certain ministries have their own official residences, but most fall under our purview. We conducted an assessment of every building through a committee led by the Ministry Secretary and have now forwarded the information. The Government will take further steps accordingly,” he said.

The issue of official residences and other privileges granted to politicians has been the subject of intense public debate in recent years, with many arguing that such privileges for politicians are unnecessary and contributed to the country’s economic collapse. 

The National People’s Power (NPP), during recent elections, pledged to abolish such facilities provided to politicians, framing them as an unfair burden on taxpayers. In line with this stance, ministers and deputy ministers of the current NPP Government have not taken up official residences. On Wednesday (10), the Parliament also passed legislation abolishing official residences and several other privileges previously granted to former Presidents.