PM presents Rs. 20 b Bill for new Defence HQ

The Government yesterday presented a supplementary allocation of Rs. 20 billion for parliamentary approval.  Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne has presented the supplementary estimate for the construction of the Defence Headquarters in Akuregoda, Battaramulla.

The new Defence Headquarters is to house the Defence Ministry, Headquarters of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, office of the Chief of Defence Staff, the offices of the Commanders of the three armed forces, training centres, operational rooms, research centres, and other facilities.

The location where the Defence Ministry and the Army Headquarters are currently located in the land facing the Gall Face green has been acquired by two internationally acclaimed Chinese companies to set up hotel-shopping complexes. The two companies are expected to bring in a total investment of one billion US dollars.  The Sri Lankan government expects to complete the construction of the new military complex in Battaramulla by 2013.