Has Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa Returned Back to Colombo?

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Soon after the passing of the President’s Entitlement (Repeal) Act, which abolished special privileges provided to former presidents, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa left his official residence in Colombo for his Tangalle residence.

However, within several days, social media streams were abuzz with claims that Mahinda Rajapaksa had returned to a house in Colombo. However, we found that these news reports are misleading as there is no immediate plan for the former president to return to Colombo.

Social Media Posts:

Several news reports suggested that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has returned to Colombo, as seen below.

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We observed that a significant number of people who believed this to be true had shared these posts and expressed their opinions. Let’s look at the facts.

Fact Check:

Upon reviewing the mainstream media outlets, we discovered a news article in the Lankadeepa newspaper, published with the headline, “Mahinda returns to Colombo”. Using a similar news article, social media users had portrayed the news about the former president returning to a residence in Colombo as having already happened.

However, inside the news article, it is stated that the former Parliamentarian and SLPP spokesperson Sanjeewa Edirimanna had said that the Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would return to Colombo as soon as the necessary facilities were secured. However, there is no mention of Mr Edirimanna, stating a recent return of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Colombo.

We investigated whether former Minister of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramune had actually made such a statement.

Accordingly, we monitored news coverage related to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa leaving his official residence in Wijerama on the 11th. At the time, a journalist posed a question, stating that despite previous mentions of numerous houses in Colombo, had no one offered the former president a house in Colombo?

To that, Eranda Edirimanna replied, “ The bill was passed yesterday evening, and we can’t get all this ready within today. First, our duty is to respect the law and leave here. Then we will see what we do.” However, he never mentions regarding his return to Colomo.

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To further confirm this, we contacted former MP Sanjeewa Edirimanne over the phone. He mentioned that he only stated that the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would return to Colombo if he found a suitable house there. However, Sanjeewa further noted that some media outlets have misleadingly reported this information, suggesting that he had stated Mahinda Rajapaksa had returned to a residence in Colombo.

Similarly, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official media spokesperson, Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage, also stated that Mahinda Rajapaksa is in good health at the Carlton Residence, Hambantota.

Meanwhile, upon checking Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official Facebook page, it was observed that he is still residing at Carlton House, and that his supporters and the public, among others, are visiting Carlton House to see him and express their gratitude. The post is here.

Speaking to Hiru News from his Carlton House residence in Tangalle, Mahinda Rajapakse also never mentions plans of an immediate return to Colombo. The interview can be seen here.

Furthermore, in a recent press briefing, SLPP general secretary Sagara Kariyawasam clarified that the news of the former president returning to reside in Colombo is misleading and that there are no such immediate plans.

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Conclusion:

Accordingly, an examination of these facts confirms that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not returned to Colombo yet and is at his Carlton residence in Tangalle. This confirms that the media has misreported a statement made by Mr Sanjeewa Edirimanne when he expressed his views at the time of the former President leaving his Wijerama residence.