'That Kataragama Property Is Not Mine' - Gotabaya Breaks Silence

by Staff Writer 14-10-2025 | 12:55 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has publicly denied any connection to a controversial building constructed near the Manik Ganga in Kataragama, following renewed media reports linking him to the property.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Rajapaksa clarified that the building in question was not his property, and that previous media reports had wrongfully attributed ownership to him.

Translation Of Statement:

A news report previously published in the media has incorrectly claimed that a building constructed near the Manik Ganga in Kataragama belongs to me.

On Monday, October 13, 2025 (yesterday), certain television channels aired a news segment in which my name was once again mentioned in relation to this building.

A CID investigation was previously conducted regarding the ownership of this building. As part of that investigation, I too provided a statement.

The reason I was questioned in connection with this matter was due to an application submitted under the name “G. Rajapaksa” to obtain an electricity connection for the said building.

That application did not contain a proper signature. The space where the signature should have been was marked with an unclear scribble.

As this false report continues to resurface from time to time, I wish to clearly state for public awareness that the building near the Manik Ganga in Kataragama is not my property.

I must also emphasize that I have never had any reason or desire to construct or maintain any building in the Kataragama area.

End of Translation Of Statement.

Rajapaksa explained that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had previously conducted an inquiry into the matter, during which he had provided a formal statement. The investigation was triggered by an electricity connection application submitted under the name “G. Rajapaksa,” which contained an unclear and unauthenticated signature.

Meanwhile, the controversial property, located within the Kataragama-Manik Ganga reserve, was officially handed over to the Department of Irrigation yesterday.

According to Director General A. Gunasekara, the handover was carried out under the guidance of the Attorney General’s Department, following legal review.