President’s official house in Colombo opens for public

On a directive of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, the public including school children have the opportunity to visit the President’s House in Colombo and the adjacent Gordon Park from Wednesday (8). The President’s House will be opened for public and school students from 8 June until 14 June.

The President’s House in Colombo, which was used by 29 governors and six Presidents for their official duties and for residential purposes will be open to the public for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka.

Opening the door for a new political culture, the President has taken steps to open the doors of the President’s House for the public which had been closed to date.

The inauguration ceremony in this regard was held under the patronage of the President Wednesday afternoon. School children representing every district in the country attended the inauguration ceremony.

Responding to their questions the President said that he will take steps to open the President’s Houses in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy for the public in the future.

When questioned by a student why he doesn’t select the President’s House in Colombo as his residence, the President said that a person cannot render a genuine service to the people by living in luxury houses.

President Sirisena further said that he decided to open the President’s House in Colombo for the public as it is a resource of the citizens of this country.

Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan, Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala, chief ministers of all provinces, and ministers were among the visitors to the President’s House on Wednesday.

From 8 to 14 June the public can view the President’s House in Colombo from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the public can obtain more information by contacting Presidential Assistant Secretary Chathuranga on 077-3086366 or 0714-241802.