A National Audit Office report has uncovered massive financial wastage and delays in several key infrastructure projects across Sri Lanka.
The report highlights that the construction of the Kurunegala-Dambulla section of the Central Expressway, initially budgeted at Rs. 23.4 billion, has been abandoned. Additionally, Rs. 102.5 billion allocated for the Colombo-Ratnapura-Pelmadulla Expressway and Rs. 1.34 billion for the New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya elevated expressway have already been spent by 2023, with little progress made.
The Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal project has also been plagued by delays. Compensation payments to 825 individuals affected by the project delays have surpassed Rs. 720 million, and an additional Rs. 200 million is being paid to 1,000 more individuals. These payments are expected to continue until the project’s completion.
The Kandy project, originally scheduled to begin on May 6, 2021, remains stalled due to procurement delays. Furthermore, a contractor involved in the Central Expressway project has yet to receive Rs. 403 billion as of December 31, 2023, potentially leading to significant penalties under the contract terms.
The report underscores the urgent need for better project management and accountability to prevent further financial losses.
