News
Abrupt cancellation of Light Rail Transit project has led to waste of Rs 10.6 bn: NAO
By Lalith Chaminda and SK Kaluarachchi
The National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that Rs. 10.6 billion was wasted due to the government’s decision to cancel the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in 2020. By the time the government decided to cancel the project, various parties had spent the above mentioned sum, the NAO has said.
The project was funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and a number of consultants involved have tried to secure their unpaid project termination claims to avoid seeking international arbitration. However, Sri Lanka turned down their bills citing advice from Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department.
The NAO said the estimated total cost of the project was 246,641 million Japanese Yen and out of total estimated cost JICA was to provide 200,215 million Japanese Yen or Rs. 286,839 million through six tranches scheduled during 2019- 2024.
Due to the termination of project activities, the consultancy firm had claimed USD 31.36 million. In order to negotiate that matter, a committee had been appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers on 23 February 2021.
“Due to the decision to suspend the project in the year under review, Rs. 102.73 million equivalent to Japan Yen 60.08 million paid as a Front End Fee, according to the loan agreement signed on 23 May 2019 on 0.2 per cent of total loan amount, was wasted.
“As a long-term solution for the heavy traffic congestion in Colombo, the Light Rail Transit Project commenced on 01 May 2017 under financial assistance of Japan. Accordingly, Rs. 5.54 billion ( Rs. 4,622.45 million from JICA funds and Rs. 923.18 million from Treasury) had been spent on that project by the end of the year 2020. As the project was expensive and not cost effective, it was informed through the Cabinet Decision, No.20/1450/312/002 dated 06 October 2020 that the project office to be closed and all the assets of the project to be handed over to the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Urban Development and Housing. As such, the expenses incurred became fruitless.”
News
Crucial Parliamentary week ahead with investigation into IGP Tennakoon and Batalanda torture chambers debate
The upcoming sitting week of Parliament, beginning next Tuesday, is set to be pivotal, with key motions including the investigation into Police Chief IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and a debate on the notorious Batalanda torture chambers.
During the recent Business Committee meeting chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne, party leaders decided that a motion proposing the establishment of a committee to investigate and recommend the removal of IGP Tennakoon will be presented for approval on April 8.
The sessions in Parliament will be held on April 8, 9, and 10, with a packed agenda. On April 8, Tuesday, Parliament will convene from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM for routine parliamentary business under Standing Order 22, sections 1 to 6. From 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, time will be allocated for oral questions. From 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, parliamentary questions under Standing Order 27(2) will be addressed.
Later in the day, the second reading of the Bill on “Offenses Related to Criminal Activities” will be debated, and the Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Act will be presented for approval. The motion to appoint a committee to investigate IGP Tennakoon’s removal is also expected to be presented for approval by 5:30 PM.
The following day, April 9, Parliament will meet from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM for regular business, followed by a 30-minute session from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM for questions directed to the Prime Minister. From 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, oral questions will be answered, and the session will continue with additional questions under Standing Order 27(2). The afternoon will see discussions on the second reading of the “Taxation (Amendment)” Bill, alongside the approval of 17 annual reports from various statutory bodies.
On April 10, Thursday, Parliament will continue its work, following a similar schedule, with a focus on the second reading of the “Battalanda Housing Complex Inquiry Report.” The debate on this significant issue is expected to continue into May, marking a critical point in the ongoing discussions surrounding past human rights abuse.
Sri Lanka’s first ever western music pop outfit comprising the visually handicapped ‘Bright Light’ was launched last Saturday at a simple ceremony at the MJF Foundation auditorium under the auspices of the Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing.
The 12-member band is being trained by Melantha Perera, well known, versatile musician, music teacher and leader of the band ‘Black Jackets.’
Ambassador Tobing addressing the gathering said that she was highly impressed with the immense talent on display and the performance of the young musicians. The young musicians should go a long way as a well knitted band, if they are well nurtured, she said.
She assured all support and encouragement for the young music outfit and invited the band to perform at one of the Indonesian Embassy organized event end of June promising to encourage the group to
play the popular Indonesian traditional bamboo instrument ‘Anglung.’ and provide all assistance in that regard and present the band with some of those instruments.
Melantha said that during the pandemic he conducted free online lessons to these young men and women and later trained them at the MJF Foundation.
‘They are immensely talented and what they need is proper guidance and training and I am happy to see that my efforts are bearing fruit, and soon they will perform as a commercial band, he said.
The event was was made possible by the MJF Centre for Community Community Service and Nihal Jayasuriya, President Sri Lanka Indonesia Frienship Association, Ms Felicia Sallay and Samath Fernando.
By Harischandra Gunaratna
Members of ‘Bright Light’ the music makers: Samudra Gamage Dinesh Premakumara Randi Prarthana Theekshana Rasindu Ravichandran Jonathan Sandun Kalhara Akila Dilshan Rashini Sneha Chathruka Nipun Tharindu Lakshan Susum Navoda and Sethani Madugalle
Indonesian Ambassador Tobing performing to the music of ‘Bright Lights’
By Harishchandra Gunaratna
Chief incumbent of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara in Atlanta USA, Ven Panamwela Wajirabudhdhi thera was appointed as the Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayaka of North America.
The Scroll proclaiming the appointment was presented to Ven Wajirabudhdhi thera by Ven Thibatuwawe Sri Siddartha Sumangala the Mahanayaka thera of the Malwatta chapter at a ceremony held in Kandy last Sunday [30].
Text and pic by PRIYAN DE SILVA
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