The Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing W.S. Satyananda said that several government-owned buildings including Visumpaya located in the center of the commercial city of Colombo are planned to be given to the private sector immediately under the lease basis. In addition, another government building in Nuwara Eliya is also to be given on lease basis.
Accordingly, it is reported that Gafoor Building, Tea Museum Building and two 03 acres of land located in DR Wijewardana Mawatha are going to be given to several investors on lease basis. The secretary mentioned that the basic agreements for that have already been reached.
It is reported that these buildings and lands are planned to be developed and used effectively as tourist attractions and are to be provided for private sector services without harming the archaeological values of those buildings.
Former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, former Prime Minister Demujayaratne, Anuruddha Ratwatte, Lakshman Kadiragamar, Mangala Samaraweera and Professor G.L. Peiris had used the Visumpaya building in Union Territory as their quarters.