2026-03-04 / Oral Question: Abandoned School Building Projects (Q.2/2026) 2026-03-04
Hon. Ravikaran raised concerns about incomplete school constructions under the "Nearest School – Best School" programme, referencing a National Audit Office finding and a Sunday Times report from August 2025, as well as a personal site visit to a school in the Mullaitivu Education Zone in July 2025. He noted that no preventive safety measures have been taken to restrict access to hazardous incomplete structures, posing risks to students and staff. He directed two specific questions to the Prime Minister: what budgetary allocations have been made in the current year to complete these unfinished buildings, and whether a priority order is being followed in addressing them. He also called for immediate cordoning and safety measures at such sites pending completion.
Hon. Speaker, my first supplementary question.
Hon. Prime Minister, the National Audit Office has pointed out that school constructions started under the “Nearest School – Best School” programme and left incomplete pose risks, and that no preventive measures have been taken to address this. Citing that, the Sunday Times of 2025.08.03 also carried a report, a copy of which I have here. I personally verified a similar situation at a school in the Mullaitivu Education Zone on 2025.07.14. Therefore, until these buildings are completed, please ensure proper cordoning and safety so that students and staff cannot access incomplete structures. What arrangements have you made in this year’s allocations to complete such buildings, and is there a priority order being followed?