Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday, 11 December 2024 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved developing an economically beneficial mechanism for utilising State-owned bungalows, including iconic properties like Visumpaya and several Presidential residencies countrywide.
The move is aimed at addressing the significant cost incurred in maintaining these properties, which are largely “underutilised”.
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the decision during the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, noting that the new initiative seeks to maximise the economic potential of these Government-owned properties while minimising the burden of the Government coffers.
“To facilitate the process, it was decided to appoint a high-level committee to propose recommendations for repurposing the properties,” he added.
The committee, chaired by an Additional Secretary nominated by the Secretary of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) includes representatives from the Ministries of Public Administration, Finance and Tourism as well as Department of Archaeology, National Physical Planning Department, UDA and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
“The committee is tasked to assess the current state of these properties and recommend economically viable uses that align with national priorities,” Dr. Jayatissa added.
He revealed that the Government owns and maintains 50 bungalows in Colombo 5 and 7 under the Public Administration Ministry, in addition to several Presidential residences located in Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Mahiyanganaya, Anuradhapura, Kataragama, Jaffna, Embilipitiya and Bentota.
“However, most of these residences remain underutilised, with only the properties in Colombo and Kandy seeing regular use,” he said.
In addition, he disclosed other prominent State properties such as the Prime Minister’s official residence in Nuwara Eliya, which falls under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Office and the official residences of several Heads of State, administered by the UDA.
While optimising these assets for economic benefit, Dr. Jayatissa said the Government is also mindful of their cultural and historic value.
