Ministerial bungalows in Colombo to be used for tourism instead of politics

• These houses in Colombob are now meant for economic purposes. That is tourism. We will assign them to tourism related projects

By Kelum Bandara 

The government has decided to call for tenders to develop the state bungalows which were used by ministers of the previous governments for tourism related projects, a Minister said.

Public Administration Minister Chandana Abayaratne told the Daily Mirror that these houses in the heart of Colombo would not be assigned to the ministers of the new government but would instead be developed to attract tourists. 

He said that all those houses would be reserved for economically productive purposes only. "Our ministers occupy their own places. These houses in Colombob are now meant for economic purposes. That is tourism. We will assign them to tourism related projects," he said.

Asked whether they would be assigned to local or foreign tourists, he said it would depend

There are over 30 such houses in Colombo.

In the past, these luxurious state bungalows were assigned to senior ministers to reside in and host their political gatherings. 

Millions were spent to maintain the bungalows and for their refurbishment everytime the governments changed.