Govt.’s learning curve ending, project momentum building: Construction sector

NOTES GOVT.'S UNDER- SPENDING ON STATE CAPEX A TRADITIONAL CHALLENGE CITES RS.390BN IN ALLOCATED FUNDS NOT INJECTED INTO ECONOMY THROUGH VITAL PROJECTS YET INSISTS GOVT. TO PRIORITISE IMPLEMENTATION OF CRITICAL PROJECTS

- By NISHEL FERNANDO

A top construction industry leader voiced cautious optimism for Sri Lanka's construction sector, suggesting the government's initial “learning curve” is now over and is anticipating a new sense of urgency in project implementation.

Speaking at a panel discussion hosted by First Capital Research, Access Engineering PLC Executive Deputy Chairman Christopher Joshua highlighted that while significant hurdles remain, there are signs of positive momentum for the muchneeded rollout of infrastructure projects.

However, this optimism is tempered by deep-seated issues that have long plagued the sector. Joshua drew sharp attention to the government's chronic under-spending on state capital expenditure (capex), a problem he described as a traditional challenge for the industry.