Ali Sabry denies giving his official residence to Gotabaya

• How can I give an official residence to Gotabaya Rajapaksa? It should be inquired from those who had given it”

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry refuted claims that he had provided an official residence to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and said it should be inquired from those who had provided it.  

Raising a privilege issue in Parliament over a statement made by MP Shanakiya Rasamanickam, the Minister said he had never occupied an official residence provided by the government and said he was residing in his own house.  

“I have never used an official residence. I sometimes use the official residence occupied by former Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris when I have to meet foreign delegates and for other such matters,” he said.  

The Minister said he had never given any official residence occupied by him to anyone and that he had no authority to do so either.  

“How can I give an official residence to Gotabaya Rajapaksa? Who am I to do so? It should be inquired from those who had given it,” he said.  

The Minister said MPs should not make false statements while hiding behind parliamentary privileges and added that everyone has a dignity of his own.