Port City controversy: Ranil fumes over delay; Govt. promises answers by Friday

Wednesday, 19 March 2014 00:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday came to an understanding with the Government to accept the “long-delayed responses” on Colombo Port City and the details of the “unsolicited tenders” next Friday.

The initial questions on Colombo Port City were raised on 21 February and the Government was reminded on 7 March, according to Wickremesinghe, who wanted to know the reasons for the delays. “We wanted the information in line with Article 148 of our Constitution. But before tabling it in the House, somewhat similar information was carried in a few national newspapers last weekend,” he said. Expressing his concern about newspaper articles exposing “a possible fraud” which exceeds US$ 5,000 million, Wickremesinghesaid: “There is an emergency purchase of container handling equipment for Jaya Terminal – six ship-to-shore container cranes and transfer cranes. I haven’t seen any documents related to these or heard about it before. I have also requested details about the 210 rural bridges in Sri Lanka.” In response, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena said: “We will respond to all questions the Leader of the Opposition raised. The Prime Minister gave a few brief answers but cautioned the House on the necessity to use trucks to bring in the documents to Parliament. We will respond on Friday.” Meanwhile, heating up the House amidst gloomy weather outside, the former UPFA strongman turned Opposition lawmaker Mangala Samaraweera wanted to know the number of Government helicopters President Mahinda Rajapaksa is using for the forthcoming election campaigns.