News
Johnston summons consultants over delay in construction of a section of the Central Expressway
Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday ordered that the heads of the consultative firms responsible for the construction of the Kadawatha-Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway be summoned for an urgent meeting.
The Minister gave this order at a meeting at the ministry over a protracted delay in the construction of the Kadawatha-Mirigama section of the Central Expressway, ministry sources said.
Two top officials attached to the project were also transferred with immediate effect yesterday.
The Minister said that he had severely warned the officials twice but they had failed to sort out the inordinate delay.
When the Minister called for a meeting of the heads of companies which provided consultancy for the phase between Kadawatha and Mirigama, he was informed that they were abroad, and the minister ordered the representatives of those companies to summon them within the next 30 days.
When asked for the information on locations of constructions being carried out, the officials were unable to submit them, ministry sources said adding that they had also failed to submit the list of contractors.
The Minister said that a firm that had been awarded the contract for the construction of the Kadawatha-Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway by the yahapalana government had been removed recently for the slow progress in the execution of the project.
The Minister said he had urged the contractors to expedite the project implementation.
The contractors had been given a deadline of two and half years to complete the work. “The work on the project is extremely slow despite the payment of Rs 16.7 billion in advance,” the Minister said.
Minister Fernando has informed the contractors that the government would not pay anything extra if the contractors dragged their feet on the project.
Secretary to the Ministry of Highways R.W. R. Premasiri also participated in the meeting.
The second phase of bidding for the sale of 27 luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat has commenced.
These vehicles, manufactured between 1991 and 2016, include a range of high-end and utility models: two BMW cars, two Ford Everest SUVs, one Hyundai Terracan SUV, two Land Rover SUVs, one Mitsubishi Montero, three Nissan petrol cars, two Nissan-type motor cars, one Porsche Cayenne, five SsangYong Rexton SUVs, one Land Cruiser Sahara SUV, six V08 vehicles and one Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus.
Tender documents are available from the Finance Division, located on the second floor of the Sema Building at the Presidential Secretariat, on working days between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. until 14th May. Interested parties may also inspect the vehicles at the Salusala premises, No. 93, Jawatta Road, up to the same date.
This auction follows the successful first phase of the programme, during which 14 luxury vehicles, six decommissioned vehicles and various spare parts were sold. That phase included the auction of 15 vehicles, including nine Defender Jeeps. The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to reducing public expenditure and ensuring fiscal discipline.
It is important to note that the vehicles on offer were not allocated to the permanent staff of the Presidential Secretariat. They were utilised by advisors and other individuals appointed under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during the tenure of the previous President.
The official notice regarding this auction is attached herewith. Click Here
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit today. (09 May 25)
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The 80.65m long ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ is a Hydrographic Vessel commanded by Commander BERTHEAU Dimitri and she is manned by 58 crew members.
Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer and a group of crew members of the ship are scheduled to call on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ship will explore some tourist attractions within the country and the ship is scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 13 May.
It has been reported that two Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter gunners and four Special Forces personnel have been pronounced dead after a SLAF Bell 212 helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this (09) morning.
There were a total of 12 armed forces personnel on board the ill-fated aircraft.
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