Bogus honesty of new Government

Without any new projects what could the contractors, their staff, the workers and consultants do

The country’s recent history

The corona pandemic reached Sri Lanka in 2020 and over 650,000 cases were reported and 16,814 patients had passed away, showing the seriousness of the disease. First patient was detected in March 2020 and with the spreading of disease a country-wide lockdown was implemented in April. The lockdown continued for 52 days. Developed countries prohibited import of goods from corona-affected countries with the fear of bringing in the disease. This seriously affected the exports, tourism and the country’s economy.

With President Gotabaya’s efforts, the country was able to defeat the corona pandemic. Sri Lanka was endorsed by the World Health Organization as a country that made immense progress in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. But the economic cost to the country was enormous, resulting in food shortages with long queues and the public revolted against the Government. Finally President Gotabaya was forced to run away. 

With no one ruling the country, the Government was offered but no party wished to take over, including the JVP. The only person who agreed to take over the Government was Ranil Wickremesinghe, with the single UNP member in parliament and in May 2022, was reappointed as prime minister. Following the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July 2022, Wickremesinghe became acting president and was subsequently elected as the ninth President of Sri Lanka by Parliament on 20 July 2022.

He took over the country and with assistance from IMF and the World Bank soon eliminated all queues and brought the country to the current situation. RW was able to bring down the Dollar value from Rs. 390 to 306.

No new projects during Ranil W. era

During the Ranil W. era, he was concentrating on the country’s basic survival and no new projects were proposed, but the small rural projects continued. In fact, some projects such as the Kadawatha-Meerigama sector of Central Expressway which had commenced with a loan from China Exim Bank by a Chinese contractor had to be stopped. He was concentrating on the basic survival of the country. By the time RW’s term ended, the country’s economy became stable.

Current Government

In September 2024, Anura Kumara Disanayake was elected as the President and in Parliamentary elections in November 2024, took over the Government from Ranil W. But the new Government continues with all Ranil W policies, completely disregarding their own policy statement presented to the public prior to the elections. Today they boast of having brought the Dollar value to Rs. 306, same level that was when Ranil W. left. They were unable to give further improvements to the Dollar. But now the Government is trying to find faults with RW, also of other past politicians.

The Government boasts of being of free of bribery and corruption and allege all former Governments were corrupt. But what the public do not realise is this Government is not proceeding with any new development projects small or large. Sirasa news channel practically every night news shows public suffering from poor roads or absence of culverts. But the Government seems to be blind to the issue. 

The new Government does not seem to have realised that Ranil W. has achieved the basic survival and now the time is to go forward.

Clean Government

The new Government started as a clean Government. Their subordinates and supporters started cleaning everywhere, all roads also public places. However, in three months cleaning ended.

Ending of projects awarded before

There were a number of projects small and medium awarded during the past few years. They have been completed and handed over. Now the Government does not need to spend payments to contractors. But the issue is without any new projects what could the contractors, their staff, the workers and consultants do. Some have purchased large machinery and equipment on long time lease and need repayments. Without new projects contractors and consultant staff have become jobless.

 The Government is of the opinion that everyone is dishonest and any new projects big or small would only increase corruption. This is a completely foolish opinion. For the development of the country small and large projects are essential and the required funds are already available. In addition, this would provide jobs for the contractors, consultants, workers and engineers, also suppliers of building materials and machinery suppliers, while developing the country. The current Government needs to open their eyes to the actual situation

Meanwhile the Government

Without the payments to the contractors and consultants, the Government is having excess funds. Newspapers reported that the Government during the last Budget has allocated Rs. 85 billion for banks’ security and the banks have protested claiming they do not need Government funds for their security. This is the excess money saved not having to pay the contractors.

Increase in Government staff salaries

With the excess funds, the Government was able to increase salaries of Government staff, expecting their support for the impending local government elections.

The President was able to open Dalada Maligawa for the public view. The gesture in view of pending local government elections. By the gesture the President has reached his objective as shown in news, large number of devotees vising Maligawa are praising the President for the gesture.

Projects neglected

Kadawatha-Meerigama road

The 37 km long Section I of the project commenced its activities on 15 September 2020 and was scheduled to be completed by 14 September 2024 financed by EXIM Bank of China. But now the total cost of Section I of the Central Expressway Project has increased from around $ 158 million to $ 194 million. The RDA also had to pay an additional Rs. 8 billion as an advance payment to activate the Chinese loan.

Section I, which moved at a snail’s pace due to the delay in disbursing funds of the already signed agreement, covering 85% of the contract price, is yet to properly begin its construction due to the delay on the part of the Government to meet the agreed 15% of the total loan amount. 

Meanwhile, the Government pays over $ 100 million a month for idling machinery of the Chinese contractor. During the past six months the Government failed to recommence or even to discuss recommencement of the idling project.

The same highway from Kurunegala to Dambulla also has been suspended and needs recommencement.

Other projects

Colombo Port Access Elevated Highway project

The Ministry of Transport and Highways announced that the construction of the Port Access Elevated Highway would be completed by December 2024 as approximately 90% of the construction work has already been completed.

This project, which began in September 2019 with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank, has an estimated total cost of $ 300 million. The 5.3 km long, four-lane elevated highway will connect the Ingurukade Junction to the New Kelani Bridge and extend over the columns to Galle Face and Port City.

Upon its opening, this highway is expected to significantly alleviate the heavy traffic congestion currently experienced in Colombo.

What cannot be understood is in this 90% completed project, why is the balance 10% not attended. This is the responsibility of the Government especially the Minister of Highways to attend to the issues and get the project completed where ADB funds are available. Now, whether the project is completed or not loan instalments and the interest will need to be paid.

Expressways

Press reported the massive income out of expressways especially during the New Year holiday period. Thus although the expressways are expensive they would yield heavy returns on investment, while offering convenient travel for motorists. Meanwhile, Ratnapura expressway for which lands were acquired and work commenced was stopped due to financial constraints needs recommencement.

Katunayaka Airport expansion project 

This project initially commenced in December 2020 with an estimated budget of Rs. 145 billion, Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022 caused significant delays, with only 6% of Phase II completed by that time. Fresh tenders were called in November 2024, but yet to be awarded. The construction timeline for the new phase is set at 30 months, targeting completion by 2027. The new Government is yet to award a single tender and will be the first tender to be awarded. Meanwhile, the passengers and the tourists are suffering due to congestion and lack of facilities. 

Mahaveli waters to North

The water stored in Kaluganga and Moragahakanda reservoirs are to be conveyed to the North Central and Northern Provinces for agriculture. The conveyance waterway, called the North Central Province Canal project. The most important item of the project is the 27.7 km long tunnel between Konduruwawa and Mahameegaswewa, estimated to cost of Rs. 49 billion (almost $ 163 million), a milestone in providing water in the region. It was reported that the tunnel construction is almost complete.

The first 20 km of the waterway runs parallel to the existing Elahera-Minneriya Yoda Ela on a higher elevation contour and gradually turns in a northerly direction along the centre spinal ridge that divides the river basins flowing to the west and eastern coasts of the island to end at Chennadikulam tank. This would be the most expensive and the longest (155 km approx.) waterway in Sri Lanka.

The $ 600 m project funded with ADB assistance is expected to be completed in 2026. The work involved for Stage 2 is yet to be finalised and would cost over $ 500 m.

The completion of a 96-kilometre water conveyance project in the North Central Province will benefit up to 100,000 families, is one of the challenges facing Sri Lanka’s new Government who have not included even a single project. 

Now the tunnel is almost complete; the Government needs to get de-marking lands to be allocated to farmers, access roads also support services as schools.

It is clear that Anura Kumara is not aware of the project nor of the progress made in the project. Otherwise, in his recent visit to Mannar and Jaffna he would have boasted of the long-awaited project of the northerners which would be completed next year.

No fertilisers for paddy farmers

Local paddy farmers complain that they have not received fertiliser or payments in lieu of fertiliser for their current Yala season. Last season, the Government claimed that they have just come into power and the previous Government should have imported the fertiliser. What is their excuse now?

Local Government Elections

Now Local Government Elections are expected in few weeks. If the JVP comes into power what could the Local Governments do? But again in local government elections there are no party candidates. Formerly the local governments were involved in maintaining roads and buildings in the area serving the local persons. Under their current policies, they cannot even white wash a building, as the painter could rob the paints. Under this set up the local governments cannot do any productive works. 

Future

Under the current setup, there are large number of Government staff trained for various construction functions and supervision. With no work, some will be forced to leave the country. One of my former quantity surveyors called to wish me for the New Year. She is without a job as her project formerly employed was completed. She cannot leave the country due to her small child. If the Government continues the same way for the balance four and half years, there will be no development of the country, resulting in massive unemployment. Can the public accept this? 

The current Government stopping construction projects is not avoiding corruption, but highlights the ignorance of the current politicians. In addition current political leaders are not sure of the honesty of their own subordinates and cannot be trusted.

Schools

It was reported that over 100 schools were forced to be closed down, due to reduction in the number of children, with some schools having less than 10 children. The schools were closed down and children were transferred to a nearby school. The Government says the reason being less children are born to the current mothers. Although the low children levels is a reason, the actual reason is the children moving over to private schools.

Parents are aware that in private schools the fees need to be paid, but the children get a better English medium education allowing them a better future. But is giving a similar English-based education to poor children beyond the capability of the Government? True, the process will require training existing teachers to teach in English medium, will cost and take time. But the time and expense would be fully worth.

Construction without corruption

My own experience. In late 1960s and early 1970s I worked as a Civil Engineer under Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe, Chairman, State Engineering Corporation, where a large number of construction projects were carried for the industrialisation of the country and there were no allegations of corruption. Thus if works are carried out under proper management there would be no corruption. Anura Kumara and SJB seem to be ignorant of the facts. Or are they unsure of their own subordinates.

Present NPP members throughout their life were only involved in protest marches and making preparations for same. So they are unaware of the possibility of development works without corruption.

Future of the country

Now the country has come out of the financial mess, for the future of the country and its people the development works need to continue. The cycle needs to continue so that workers and planners will have employment opportunities. Also will provide the people with employment opportunities.

Can the Government’s current policy continue?

The Government is of the opinion that everyone is dishonest and any new projects big or small would only increase corruption. This is a completely foolish opinion. For the development of the country small and large projects are essential and the required funds are already available. In addition, this would provide jobs for the contractors, consultants, workers and engineers, also suppliers of building materials and machinery suppliers, while developing the country. The current Government needs to open their eyes to the actual situation.

The situation might lead to some corrupt practices, but if the politicians keep their eyes open, they would be able to develop the country, without creating animosities. Thus the current politicians in power need to open their eyes to realities and commence development.

Otherwise, the public will become aware of the situation and take steps to revolt and throw the Government out.