A recent investigation by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing has uncovered that the so-called ‘Presidential Palace’ in Jaffna was constructed before the government had fully secured legal ownership of the land.
The property, consisting of eight residences, was developed during the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while the land acquisition process was still underway.
Urban Development Authority (UDA) Chairman Eng. L.B. Kumudu Lal confirmed the findings in an interview with weekend paper.
“The construction of the five houses—often referred to as the ‘Presidential Palace’—was carried out before the legal acquisition process was finalized. We are now working to complete the remaining legal formalities,” Lal stated.
The disputed land, located in Kankesanthurai, spans approximately 30 acres, with buildings occupying around 15 acres.
The Sri Lankan military undertook the construction between 2010 and 2015, at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.5 billion.
According to the UDA Chairman, ownership disputes are expected to be fully resolved by the end of 2025. Once cleared, the government plans to open the property to investors for redevelopment into a project that benefits the local community.
The investigation highlights that the construction proceeded despite pending legal challenges—a process that has taken nearly a decade to resolve. However, officials remain hopeful that the remaining issues will be settled within the next year, paving the way for a more publicly beneficial use of the site.
As the legal process nears completion, the future of the controversial property may soon shift from a symbol of political excess to a resource for Jaffna’s development.
