Sri Lanka, Sept. 12 -- Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa yesterday left their official residence in Wijerama Mawatha Colombo 7. A large crowd of SLPP supporters including former Ministers and Parliamentarians gathered at his place as his motorcade left for his private residence in Tangalle at around 1. 15 p.m. yesterday.

The former President left his official residence with the passage of President's Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed in parliament by a majority of 150 votes in parliament stripping former Presidents and their widows of facilities, residences and transport and secretarial allowances. The Bill came into force after Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certification on the ...