Groundwork has commenced to restore and convert the Ward Place residence of late President J R Jayewardene and his wife, Elena, into a museum and environmental centre with Government support.

The move to convert the now dilapidated residence comes on the directive of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The first discussion on renovating the property has been held between State Minister of National Heritage and Rural Arts Vidura Wickramanayaka and Jayewardene’s family members.

The Jayewardene family has requested for part of the house be turned into an ecological and environmental awareness centre open to the public.

State Minister Wickramanayake said discussions recently commenecd on the subject and fund allocations and the timeframe are yet to be decided.

He however hinted that some international donors have expressed interest and a decision will be made soon.

Late President J R Jayewardene’s house was brought into the limelight after Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Tissa Attanayake warned Parliament that further delay will make the restoration process costlier.

The property which is around one acre in extent, with the house occupying 60 perches, has been estimated to value around Rs 900 million now although it was valued at Rs 4 million when the late President gifted it to the Government. 

“Steeped in history, the Ward Place home of late President J.R. Jayewardene & his wife, Elena, is crumbling. On the orders of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the groundwork is now being laid to turn the edifice into a museum & environmental centre with Government support.” https://t.co/lvOhXC0mCj

— Anuradha K. Herath (@AnuradhaKHerath) November 29, 2020