By Saman Indrajith

The government yesterday submitted a supplementary estimate seeking the approval of Parliament for an allocation of Rs. 180 million to renovate and refurbish the official residence of President Maithripala Sirisena.

The supplementary allocation of Rs. 180,688,000 was presented to Parliament by Chief Government Whip Media Minister Gayantha Karunatillake.

It sought the approval of the House to allocate Rs. 96,391,000 to rehabilitate and improve the residence of the President at C61 and C62, Paget Road, Colombo and an additional Rs. 84,297,000 for the construction of buildings and structures at the same location.

Apart from Rs. 180 million, another allocation amounting to Rs. 70,600,000 to purchase one BMW limousine and 12 BMW R 1200 motor cycles for the Presidential Security Division has been submitted.

Under the financial heading of the office of the President, parliamentary approval has been sought to allocate Rs.2,716,000 to meet the shortfall in personal emoluments of COSTI Project (Co-ordination and Monitoring Framework for Scientific Affairs) for May 2015, Rs. 23,314,000 to meet the capital and recurrent expenditure of Office of National Unity, and Rs. 11,000,000 to meet the expenditure of winding up activities of Secretariat for Special Functions Senior Ministers.

Courtesy:The Island