New Defence Hq. probe report out soon

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Investigations on the construction work on the Defence Headquarters in Akuregoda will be finalised this week. A special committee was appointed by the Government in mid March this year to look into all aspects of the project and detect unwarranted costs. "The committee report will reveal all the shortcomings and point out how and where wastage occurred," Finance Minister, Ravi Karunanayake.said.

The committee was appointed by Cabinet on a proposal made by the Finance Minister and comprised senior officials of the Ministries of Finance, Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage and the Auditor General's Department.

"The exact cost of the project was not given in any of the documents. A committee was appointed to ascertain the exact position," Minister Karunanyake said.

In the first week of April the committee in consultation with Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe and Finance Minister, Karunanayake decided to restart the first phase of the project.

State Minister for Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene in an interview with the Sunday Observer on April 12 said that the Government was calling for tenders to streamline the project and follow proper procedure.

"Questions were raised over the procurement procedure and as to how the money was used. that is why Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe and I intervened and temporarily halted the project," he said.