Billions Busted On RDA Office
By Nirmala Kannangara- Sunday, July 26, 2015
The former regime under Mahinda Rajapaksa had spent over 2.4 billion (Rs. 2,488,538,628.06) to construct a luxurious head office complex for the Road Development Authority (RDA) in Pelawatte.
The RDA comes under the purview of the Highways Ministry and Mahinda Rajapaksa was the subject minister until the fall of his regime on January 8.
“Although the RDA was housed in a spacious section in Sethsiripaya, what made Rajapaksa to spend lavishly on this luxurious building when there were many burning issues in the country,” RDA sources said. However, the present Minister of Highways, Kabir Hashim says that it was surprising as to how much the previous regime had spent on one building when this money could have been used to build houses for the homeless.
“Unfortunately, the tax payers’ money had been spent on unnecessary projects when this money could have been utilized to provide houses for the homeless. As this is a huge and luxurious building, the minister is looking out for options to rent out part of the building and the income could be utilized for a worthy cause,” a ministry communiqué said.
The Sunday Leader is in possession of the document which details the breakdown of construction expenses of this luxury building, where Rajapaksa, as the subject minister, was to have his office. According to the detailed bill Rs. 2,034.095 million had been spent on contract payments to Nawaloka, while the Urban Development Authority (UDA) charge for the project were Rs. 6.825 million.
“Another Rs. 69.058 million had been paid to purchase assets according to the bill and Rs. 3.378 lakhs for the Kaduwela Municipal Council. To supply and to plant flower plants and Malaysian grass, it had cost Rs. 2.65 lakhs and to supply and install paving blocks, another Rs. 7.60 lakhs had been spent,” sources added.
According to the cost details, to lay the foundation stone and plaque for the opening ceremony Rs. 4.575 million had been spent and another Rs. 80.729 million had been spent as the Consultancy fee for the University of Moratuwa. As security deposit and connection charges for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Rs. 6.219 million had been spent.
The security deposit for piped water connection to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board was Rs.1 million and for the Central Environmental Authority, Rs. 11,424 had been spent.
“Interior timber partitioning and flooring works in Level 10 had cost yet Rs. 38.732 million and for interior partitioning for other levels, another Rs. 24.677 million had been spent. For the partitioning, ceiling and furniture works related to interior fittings, another Rs. 200.378 million had been spent and Rs. 2.96 lakhs had been paid to install a water pump,” sources claimed.
Meanwhile, Rs. 4.934 had been spent for electricity, water and security while advertisements for security and interior works, another Rs. 1.39 lakhs had been spent and Rs. 2.35 lakhs for administrative expenses while Rs. 7.267 million had been spent to lay the foundation stone and the opening ceremony.
“The total cost paid up to June 15, 2015 is Rs. 2,488.538 million and a few more floors have to be completed and it will cost more to the government. According to the detailed bill, Rs. 4.575 million has been spent to lay the foundation stone and plaque for the opening ceremony and another Rs. 7.267 million had been paid to lay the foundation stone and for the opening ceremony. As payments have been paid twice for the same purpose, it is up to the government auditors to check whether they have put two bills for the same purpose,” sources said.
