Did Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Refuse To Vacate Her State Residence?

With the enactment of the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill, which slashes the privileges accorded to former heads of state, five former Presidents (and one widow of a former President) are expected to vacate their residences. The bill aims to cut down a host of entitlements given to former heads of state including residence and pension, and social media has been abuzz with claims about how each head of state has been responding to the development.

Here’s one such instance of the viral claim on TikTok which claims that the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike refused to vacate her state residence in Colombo. The user has shared a video by Channel4News, a handle on YouTube which puts out commentaries on current affairs in Sri Lanka, with a text superimposed on the video that reads “Bandaranaike does not want to go away from her state residence.” The anchor, in his commentary, further wonders whether her family estate in Horagolla cannot accommodate her.

Evidence

1. In an exclusive statement to the Daily Mirror, Bandaranaike said that she only wants time to move out. She is quoted as saying, “I found a small house with some renovation to be done. My son said he would come and help me for a week. In the meantime, three weeks ago, I fell and fractured my hip. I had a hip replacement surgery. It is a serious surgery. I have physiotherapy two or three times a day. Therefore, I cannot move and do any work at that new house at the moment.”

Bandaranaike also added that any reasonable landlord would give a person some time after a notice for evacuation is issued.

Read the full statement here.

2. Another article in The Colombo Post reiterates the same.

3. An analysis of the YouTube video posted by Channel 4 News in detail reveals that it does not cite any sources or attribution for the claim.

4. A look at the previous content posted by the YouTube channel also reveals a pattern of dubious and exaggerated claims. Newschecker has fact checked one such claim in the past, which can be seen here.

Context

Bandaranaike was given a state residence after her tenure as the President of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005, after which Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa became head of state. Valuations of Bandaranaike’s state residence amounted to 2 million Sri Lankan rupees, while Rajapaksa’s state residence amounted to 4.7 million Sri Lankan rupees. In addition, these heads of state were also given a monthly pension, a monthly secretarial allowance, and transport services, among others. The NPP government tabled a draft bill to remove such privileges available to former Presidents and their widows, in keeping with their aim to reduce state expenditure. When the bill passed with an overwhelming majority (151 for, 1 against) in Parliament on September 10, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government stated that the official residences are to be handed over as required. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa left his state residence in Colombo on September 11, while Maithripala Sirisena did the same. 

Verdict

The claim that Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike refused to vacate her state residence after she lost her privilege of using it when the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament on September 10 is misleading. Bandaranaike has merely requested the government to give her a period of two months to vacate the premises. 

FAQs 

Q1. Who is Chandrika Bandaranaike? 
Bandaranaike was the 5th President of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005, and was elected into office after Dingiri Banda Wijetunga. She was elected out of office in 2005 by Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

Q2. What state privileges was a former President of Sri Lanka entitled to under the Presidents’ Entitlement Act of 1986?
Former Presidents or their widows/widowers are entitled to a monthly allowance/pension, monthly secretarial allowance, and transport services from the state, alongside a state residence.

Q3. Did Bandaranaike refuse to leave her state residence when this Act was repealed last week?
No. She has asked for two months to fully evacuate the house.

Q4. Why has she asked for two months?
She has asked for two months as her new residence needs to be renovated and as she needs to fully recover from a recent surgery.

Our Sources

‘I will move in two months’ time’- CBK’, Daily Mirror Sri Lanka, published on September 12, 2025
‘Chandrika writes to President seeking permission to stay in official residence,’ The Colombo Post, published on September 12, 2025
Channel 4 News YouTube channel