President’s House in Colombo and the Gordon Park will be opened for the public and the school children from today (8th June) to 14th June according to a decision made by the President Maithripala Sirisena.
This will be the first time in the history that the Colombo’s President’s House, which was used by 29 governors and six Presidents for their official and residential purposes is opened for the public.
The inauguration ceremony in this regard will be held under the patronage of the President Sirisena today at 2.00 p.m.The President’s House and the surrounding area had been designated as a high-security area during period of the former President Rajapaksa.
Although, the President Maithripala Sirisena does not use it as his official residence and it is used only for special occasions including welcoming the state guests.
This palace has been built in the period of Dutch Governance and the first British Governor who resided in this palace was Sir Thomas Maitland. After that, 29 British Governors has resided in this palace and Sir Robert Horton and John Anderson were the outstanding persons among them.
