‘Unwarranted costs’ to be shed:

Latest probe : new Defence Hq

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The special committee appointed to investigate construction work on the Defence Headquarters in Akuregoda has been given one month to submit a report on its findings.

The Cabinet of Ministers last week approved the appointment of the special committee, on a proposal by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake.

The committee comprises senior officials of the Ministries of Finance, Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage, Buildings Department and Auditor General’s Department.

The committee will take into consideration all aspects relating to the cost of the project, implementation period, awarding of contracts for advisory services to the consultancy institutions and other matters relating to the project.

The decision to recommence the construction work will be based on the commitee’s recommendations.

According to a highly placed Defence source the ‘unwarranted costs’ incurred will be screened and phased out.

Commenting on the issue, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said last week “It is not a case of not being equipped with the finances – it’s just a case of removing the corruption element from the previous contract.” He told the media that the money would be released no sooner the cost details are verified. According to military sources, the offices moved from the Army Headquarters in Colombo are functioning in rented buildings scattered throughout the city. Steps must be taken to create a good working environment of the Army Headquarters.

The Defence Ministry and the Army Headquarters currently located in the land facing the Galle Face Green had been acquired in 2011 by two internationally acclaimed Chinese companies to set up hotel shopping complexes. The two companies were expected to bring in a total investment of one billion US dollars.

According to the source, the project fund has to be used on the correct guidelines and efficiently.

Almost 35 present of the construction work on the new Defence Complex in Akuregoda, Battaramulla is almost completed. Work on the Army section of the defence complex is due to be completed by the end of 2016. Buildings for the Navy and the Air Force are scheduled to be completed before 2018. Nearly 8,000 military personnel from the Tri-Forces are working on the project which covers over 56 acres of land.

The Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) is the consultant to the building project. The office of the Defence Minister, Ministry of Defence, offices of the Chief of Defence Staff and Tri Forces will be within the Defence Complex. A separate communication building with a tower and a full fledged auditorium will also be constructed. The large officers’ mess under construction could accommodate over 750 officers while the mess for the Other rankers will cater to 6000 personnel.