Anura under ‘house-arrest’?

Former National Heritage Minister Anura Bandaranaike will take a three month break from politics, going abroad and deciding on his future thereafter.

Speaking to The Sunday Times yesterday from his official residence at Visumpaya (former Acland House), Mr. Bandaranaike said he will spend his time watching films and generally taking a break.

Former National Heritage Minister Anura Bandaranaike

Presidential Security guards have blocked the ex-Minister from seeing the public as he is held under virtual house-arrest at the official bungalow. Mr. Bandaranaike said “I have been going through a difficult time politically and personally and I think I need a break”

He said the main reason for crossing over to the Opposition on the final day of the Budget was because he was unhappy with the way he was treated by the President.“My talents should be recognized and I should be entrusted a relevant ministry. I know nothing about museums and I was asked to look after one,” he said.

Mr. Bandaranaike said that the problem is that he is a Bandaranaike and is hence perceived as a threat by some quarters.“This SLFP is not the one that my father founded. I am a part of the SLFP, and I am not at all happy with the manner in which it is being run,” he said.

Despite the restrictions placed on him, Mr. Bandaranaike said that he will leave Visumpaya only in February.