The state residence used by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan since 2015 will be returned to the state on 17 November, family members of the late TNA leader have informed the Ministry of Public Administration. Sampanthan passed away on 1 July 2024.
The residence is located on Mahagamasekara Mawatha, Colombo 07, and sits on a land of one and a half acres. It was handed over to Sampanthan in 2015 by the Good Governance Government, when he was the Opposition Leader.
In 2019, former Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gayantha Karunatileka submitted a Cabinet paper on 26 February that sought approval to allow this house to be used by Sampanthan as long as he is the TNA leader.
In 2017, the then government spent Rs. 35 million on renovations for the property. Karunatileka submitted this Cabinet paper in recognition of Sampanthan's contribution to national reconciliation.
Ministry of Public Administration issued a written notice on 27 September to former ministers and state ministers, instructing them to immediately return all State houses and bungalows they used during their tenure.