2026-02-19 / Oral Question: Kaduruwela Trade Complex Construction (Q. 4/2026) 2026-02-19
The speaker addresses a supplementary question regarding a construction project, clarifying that the initial estimate was Rs. 37.188 million — not Rs. 65 million as suggested — funded jointly by the National Local Loans and Development Fund and the Municipal Council. The speaker explains that costs escalated progressively due to a mid-project decision to expand from a two-storey to a four-storey building, followed by further increases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and price escalations during the previous administration, ultimately reaching approximately Rs. 70 million without completion. The current administration has allocated an additional Rs. 30 million to complete the project, though the speaker declines to provide a specific completion date, citing uncontrollable factors. The speaker also notes procedural irregularities, including additions made without Procurement Committee approval.
Mr. Speaker, I will not answer the second part of the supplementary question as it is not relevant to the main question. As for the first part—asking whether I can state a completion date—Mr. Speaker, even with planning, it is not possible to give a specific date for a construction task due to various factors beyond control.
Initially, the building was planned as a two-storey structure. The Hon. Member said an estimate of Rs. 65 million had been made. That is not correct. The initial estimate was Rs. 37.188 million, of which Rs. 29.74 million was to be obtained from the National Local Loans and Development Fund, with the balance of Rs. 7.43 million from the Municipal Council. Thereafter, even after the tender was awarded, a decision was taken to convert it into a four-storey building, which required additional variations costing Rs. 13.51 million, bringing the total close to Rs. 50 million. Subsequently, with the COVID-19 pandemic and price escalations, this increased to around Rs. 65 million—during the period of the previous administration. Even after spending around Rs. 70 million, the work was not completed. Therefore, we have allocated Rs. 30 million this time to complete it. It will be completed, but I cannot give a definitive date. Additionally, certain new additions were made without a recommendation of the Procurement Committee, indicating issues within the process.