I was more than surprised to read a letter from one Dharmapala Senaratne in response to a letter I had written in the Sunday Island last week on the residence for Presidents of Sri Lanka or "the Maligawa" in Pelawatte, as was described by an editor of a leading newspaper, in your issue of 4th November. He, in his unpardonable ignorance states that what I stated in my article on 1st November "is not factually correct"! The only charitable explanation for his ignorance of an issue which hit the headlines in two newspapers in particular, for weeks, is that he was not in the country at the time. In any case what is the point of his letter –is it only to say that I got my facts wrong? childish. The man has not focused on the issue which was that the official residence of the President should not be in the heart of the city because of the opportunity cost. It is Dharmapala Senaratne, who owes it to the people who read your newspaper, to check his facts before he makes statements and misleads people.

Instructions to design the new residence was given in 1995.  The design was entrusted to the State Engineering Corporation, and subsequently a suggestion was made by the Chairman UDA that the design be entrusted to Geoffrey Bawa.

The Residential concept was beautifully executed by Mr. Bawa and included provision for the Presidential Secretariat as well as a guest house for visiting dignitaries.  The personal quarters for the president were modest. This was Mr. Bawa’s vision.

The related designs are available with the Bawa Trust in custody of Channa Daswatte who assisted Bawa with the designs.

I am also aware that a new building complex was designed to house the entire military headquarters of all 3 forces.  The necessary land for this purpose has already been earmarked in Battaramulla.

Dhanapala Senaratne could not of course be expected to know all this; he has confused this project with the land which CBK had the Cabinet grant her also in Pelawatte (one and half acres) to have a residence for her to live in retirement as provided in The President’s Entitlement Act No. 4, 1988. This Mr. Senaratne, has nothing to do with the land where piling was done to build an official residence for Presidents of Sri Lanka. Check your facts in the public interest Mr. S, before you next write.