The official inventory (assets register) of the Wijerama residence previously occupied by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been properly maintained. As a result, officials are reportedly unable to verify the complete list of movable and immovable items belonging to the state that were present at the premises, Ceylon Today reported.
A senior spokesperson from the Presidential Secretariat confirmed that officials had visited the residence with the inventory records. However, difficulties arose as the team that last occupied the house could not clearly identify or account for the items in their possession.
It is also reported that those who had custody of the residence had asked the officials to separate the state-owned property from their personal belongings, but the officials had refused to do so without proper verification.
The spokesperson noted that, according to procedure, state officials must cross-check all items on site against the official inventory before personal belongings are removed.
When contacted, attorney Manoj Gamage, the media spokesperson for former President Rajapaksa, said that officials from the Presidential Secretariat had already identified the state-owned assets within the residence. He added that if there are any items belonging to other state institutions, their ownership can be confirmed and the house will be formally handed over soon after.
Gamage further emphasised that all items listed in the inventory should be duly and officially returned to the state, warning that failure to do so could lead to renewed controversy over the matter. (Courtesy: Ceylon Today)
