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JVP calls Independence Square mall lease into question; govt. denies any wrongdoing

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The Independence Square Arcade had been leased out to Softlogic Holdings for a period of 10 years following proper tender procedures, State Minister Nalaka Godahewa told Parliament yesterday.

The Minister said the Board of Directors of the Urban Development Authority had decided to lease out the building as it was running at a loss.

Godahewa said the shopping complex had been leased out in keeping with accepted tender procedures.

Two Companies Softlogic Holdings and Abans PLC had tendered bids and Softlogic Holdings was chosen by the tender committee, he said.

State Minister Godahewa said the company would be paying Rs. 10 million per month as lease rental.

He furnished the details while responding to a question raised by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who urged the government to reveal the lease agreement.

The previous day, MP Dissanayake questioned the ten-year lease on the shopping arcade to a private firm for management, asking to reveal whether open tenders were called.

Dissanayake told parliament that the Independence Square Arcade had been built at a cost of 700 million rupees in taxpayer money as part of the city beautification project.

He questioned the process behind the Urban Development Authority, which comes under Minister Godahewa.

“State Minister Nalaka Godahewa should make a statement to the Parliament on whether an open tender process was called to lease the Arcade Shopping Complex,” the JVP leader said.



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Navy rescues 38 persons stranded on grounded trawler at entrance of Delft Jetty

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The Sri Lanka Navy successfully rescued 38 individuals who were stranded on a grounded trawler at the entrance of Delft Jetty this morning (07th June 2023).

The timely intervention of the Navy prevented a significant loss of life and property. Had the trawler sunk at the entrance of Delft Jetty, it would have posed significant challenges to the island’s administrative operations and transportation.

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Rear Admiral Hiran Balasuriya assumes duties as Director General Civil Engineering of Navy

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Rear Admiral Hiran Balasuriya assumed duties as Director General Civil Engineering at the Office of Director General Civil Engineering at Navy Headquarters on 06th June 2023.

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Digital Promotion Agency to be established – President

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a meeting with Governing and Opposition Members of Parliament held at the Parliament Complex, announced plans to establish a Digital Promotion Agency aimed at developing computer applications for the collection and monitoring of data from various government entities in Sri Lanka.

Previously, private companies had been responsible for creating such applications for government organizations and the President emphasized the need for a dedicated agency to carry out this task in the future.

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