NPP Government blunders

The Government has lost its popularity in just six months, mostly due to lack of effective action on election promises

- By Tudor Wijenayake

NPP in their policies spoke of being honest and free from all forms of corruption, but are failing to invest in any development projects, other than the projects hidden under large allocations given in the Budget as the Mahaveli Authority. But how can the country’s politicians be ignorant of development projects?

Kadawatha-Meerigama sector of Central Expressway

The contract for the construction of the 37 km stretch of Kadawatha-Meerigama sector the Central Expressway, was signed in 2016 with funds from China’s EXIM Bank and was expected to be completed in 2024.

The highway with 15 km on 23 m high pillars, was awarded to a Chinese contractor, but today only about 25% is completed and the work stopped, but the contract is continuing. But compensations payable to the foreign contractor keep accumulating by nearly Rs. 21 million a day, due to machines and equipment lying idle, with no ongoing construction work. Now with work being stopped, when will the balance be completed?

Rs. 5,000 million has been allocated from this year’s Budget for the construction of this expressway. The President has already directed the relevant officials to expedite the construction of Mirigama-Kadawatha sector.

While the future of the Kadawatha-Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway remains uncertain, the Government is mulling whether to renegotiate the project with the foreign contractor selected or to find a new local contractor or to hold it for the moment. But each passing day is expensive and an urgent decision is essential. Is the President aware of the situation?

Meanwhile, Phase two Meerigama to Kurunegala 40.91 km section started in February 2017 was completed in January 2022 by a group of local construction companies.