Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has defended the Rs. 510 million renovation of the Wijerama official residence, stressing that the property remains government-owned and that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not personally benefit from the funds.

Speaking on the Derana 360 programme, Kariyawasam said the decision to install an escalator at the residence—costing Rs. 14.3 million—was made in 2021 due to Rajapaksa’s difficulty climbing stairs at the time.

He added that he was unaware whether the extensive renovation of the residence was carried out on the basis of security recommendations, given that Temple Trees also served as the official residence when Rajapaksa was Prime Minister.