Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be ordered to pay Rs 4.6M rent for the Government house he is occupying in Colombo or vacate the premises.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake said the decision was taken after a valuation was carried out on the property.
He said that by law the former President must either be given a house or 1/3 of the salary.
Disanayake said if Rajapaksa is unable to pay the Rs 4.6M rent the Government will take back the property and pay him the salary of Rs. 30,000 a month.
He said that a valuation will be carried out on the Government property used by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga as well.
The President said that State property used by former Presidents will be converted into a hotel, museum or be used for education purposes.
President Disanayake expressed these views while speaking at a public gathering in Katukurunda, Kalutara.
