President Maithripala Sirisena today said that he would use the official residence of former Minister keheliya Rambukwella as the official residence of the President.

“The official residence of former minister Keheliya Rambukwella is to become the official residence of President Maithripala Sirisena,” President Sirisena tweeted, a short while ago.

Keheliya Rambukwella was the Minister of Mass Media and information under former president Rajapaksa’s government. Sources close to the President said he would use the President’s House at Fort only for official purposes.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who held the office for nearly 10 years, used both Temple Trees and President’s House for his official and personal purposes. Temple Trees was previously the residence of the Prime Minister. During the election campaign, President Sirisena said in no uncertain terms that he would never turn Temple Trees or President's House into his residence. 

President Sirisena, over the past few years, occupied his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 10.