2026-02-19 / Oral Question: Kaduruwela Trade Complex Construction (Q. 4/2026) 2026-02-19
Hon. Kins Nelson raised two matters in supplementary questions to the Minister. First, he asked for a definite date for the opening of the Kaduruwela Trade Complex, noting that the project was initiated in 2022 with an allocation of Rs. 65 million, that over Rs. 7 million has already been spent by the Municipal Council, but that the complex has remained closed for some time. Second, he raised a concern regarding decentralised funds announced in the Budget Speech, specifically that a new amendment lowering the minimum project value threshold from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 200,000 has not been communicated to District Secretaries or District Coordinating Committee Chairs. He proposed that both parties be formally notified of the amendment and that clear responsibility be assigned to District Secretaries to ensure proper implementation, rather than leaving approvals to be handled arbitrarily.
Mr. Speaker, my first supplementary question is this.
Hon. Minister, the foundation stone for the new Kaduruwela Trade Complex was laid in 2022. At that time, an estimate of Rs. 65 million had been allocated. The Municipal Council has already spent over Rs. 7 million, and it was planned to commence this in the middle of the town as a BOAD trade complex. A considerable amount has been spent by now. However, the complex has remained closed for some time. As you stated, we expect it to be opened expeditiously. When will it be opened and handed over to the public? Is there a definite date?
Also, although not directly related to this question, I wish to make a proposal. In the Budget Speech, the President said decentralized funds would be provided equally to all. After issuing decentralized funds, a circular was released that the minimum value of a project to be proposed under these funds should be Rs. 500,000. Mr. Speaker, a new amendment has now been introduced, but the relevant District Secretaries are unaware. Our MPs have already submitted proposals only for this purpose. Under the new amendment, proposals with a minimum project value of Rs. 200,000 can also be submitted. When we speak to District Secretaries now, they are unaware, Mr. Speaker. Therefore, I propose that both the District Secretaries and the Chairs of the District Coordinating Committees be properly informed, because at the end of the day, those Chairs give the approvals. Rather than allowing them to handle it arbitrarily, I propose that responsibility be assigned to the District Secretaries to implement these properly.