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by Jayantha Sri Nissanka

Country's fast development has already delayed due to litigation and protest campaigns organised by vested interest groups against many developmental projects which has resulted in billions of economic losses to the nation annually, a senior official of the External Resources Department told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

He urges environmental NGOs and groups with vested interests to abstain from organising protest campaigns and impose litigation against any tsunami rehabilitation project scheduled to come up soon.

Many electricity,road development,water purification, settlements, etc. are scheduled to begin construction with donor funding pledged to the tune of US $ 3,000 million last Monday. Vested interest parties can delay these projects litigating if land acquisition starts in case lands are required to implement some of these projects. Due to this hindrance utilisation of foreign aid has been delayed when compared with other developing countries, he added.

"It was a habit in Sri Lanka by various organisations to stage protest campaigns and provoke people for litigation for their interest. For example the Upper Kotmale Project proposal was mooted in 1995. But negotiation for funding was delayed due to environmental issues and political reasons till 2001.

The third phase of the Baseline road is on hold due to litigation. The Southern highway is experiencing a lengthy legal battle since 1999 and the delay is still continuing as a result", he added.

He said that there were 120 projects in various stages of implementation in the country with US $ 3 billion aid portfolio. Of the 120 projects, 80 are large projects and some of these projects have delayed due to litigation.

The official urged the Government to introduce a law where the Government can acquire in property for the interest of the nation for development projects like in other countries. However, various projects are in the process of implementation thanks to the UDA Act which has given some power to acquire properties for development.

http://www.mrrr.lk/(Ministry of Relief Rehabilitation & Reconciliation)

www.Pathmaconstruction.com

www.ceylincoproperties.com

www.millenniumcitysl.com

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