By: Isuru Parakrama
November 24, Colombo (LNW): Nearly 30 former Members of Parliament (MPs) are still occupying their official residences, despite having been instructed to vacate them to make way for newly elected parliamentarians, sources disclosed.
Some of the ex-MPs are in the process of removing their personal belongings, but many have yet to vacate the properties completely.
The government had previously informed the former MPs that their official homes needed to be returned so they could be allocated to incoming parliamentarians.
On November 22, it was reported that only seven of the former MPs had vacated their residences, leaving a significant number still in possession of the properties.
To accelerate the process, the Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, recently sent a formal written notice to the former MPs. The letter outlined that, should they fail to leave the residences promptly, vital services such as electricity and water would be cut off.
This warning is expected to push those remaining to comply with the eviction order.
A spokesperson for Parliament explained that the properties are currently undergoing renovations to prepare them for the incoming MPs. These renovations are necessary to ensure the homes meet the required standards for the new parliamentarians.
The official handover of these residences is scheduled for December 03, when the new MPs are expected to take possession of their official housing.
Meanwhile, the Madiwela Housing Complex, which is set to accommodate a number of MPs, has already seen a significant demand. Approximately 35 newly elected MPs have already submitted requests for accommodation at the complex.
Parliament had previously issued a call for applications, specifically targeting MPs whose primary residences are located more than 40 kilometres away from the Parliamentary complex.
