Roy Denish
A damning Foreign Affairs report has triggered outrage after listing millions spent on questionable and allegedly non-existent tourism projects, deepening fears of ghost spending and taxpayer abuse.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is facing intense scrutiny following allegations that it claimed “mission accomplished” on infrastructure projects that do not exist. The ministry is currently embroiled in a scandal regarding the transparency of its administrative reporting and the alleged misappropriation of public funds. At the center of the controversy is the ministry’s latest annual report, which declares the completion of the Wellawatta Bypass Road for Mirissa Beach Access. Despite the document listing financial figures of 1,268,886.61 and 1,077,891.69 as fully utilized for construction, the project appears to be a fabrication. Local residents and transport experts have confirmed that construction on this specific bypass never started, and no physical evidence exists of new infrastructure connecting the two coastal hubs, an assistant director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an email stated that the information was provided by the officials attached to tourism sector. Another official said an inquiry will be conducted.
The geographical nature of the claim has drawn significant ridicule from the public and civil society groups. Wellawatta and Mirissa are separated by more than 140 kilometers, yet the report presents the project as a singular bypass effort that has reached its conclusion. Commuters navigating the heavily congested Galle Road in Colombo report that bottlenecks in Wellawatta remain unchanged, with no new roads or flyovers visible. This disconnect between government reporting and reality has led to accusations that the ministry is inventing ghost projects to justify the expenditure of taxpayer money.
Several other initiatives have been flagged by observers as examples of questionable reporting. These include regional coastal infrastructure and tourism linkages described as finalized despite a lack of specific coordinates or verifiable structures. Additionally, allocations for coastal parks and walkways are under fire, as the reported number of completed sites reportedly far exceeds the physical structures found in local communities.
While these allegations surface, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath has remained largely absent from domestic discourse. The minister has been traveling on an extensive international schedule, including a high-profile trip to Belarus and appearances in Berlin and Washington. Critics argue the ministry is prioritizing international image building over the honest management of domestic resources, sparking public anger as the minister represents the nation’s governance reforms on the world stage while his own ministry issues demonstrably false reports.
The situation has triggered calls for an independent forensic audit of the ministry’s reporting processes. Investigative journalists have noted that the ministry primarily handles international relations, making its involvement in domestic road construction reporting highly unusual. This raises questions about whether these reports are being used to mask a lack of results or to divert funds.
The ministry’s expenditure report includes a wide range of other projects with varying stages of completion. These include 5,129,610.00 and 6,929,610.00 for life-saving equipment and solar power units at Bentota beach, and 45,600,000.00 for Blue Flag Certification at Pasikuda and Arugambay. Other listed completions include the widening of the access road to Sari Ella Falls at 3,999,996.24, the reconstruction of Sunandarama Second Lane Road at 1,608,964.16, and the development of Mirissa Udupila Maha Ela at 2,652,149.73.
The report also cites 1,164,703.00 for the beach access road near Paradise Beach Resort and 9,998,614.10 for sanitary facilities at Mangala Rajamaha Vihara at Seruwila. While 100,000,000.00 was allocated for the Kalpitiya and Mannar Dutch Forts, only 2,780,288.04 is listed as a bill in hand. Toilet systems at Seetha Gangula Egoda and Megoda Ambalama were reported finished at costs of 3,283,761.38 and 1,363,297.73, respectively.
Further expenditures involve the Bopath Ella Phase II at 661,088.37 and the Belilena to Handun Ella road at 38,812,094.35. Projects listed in the Yattogoda Yatalena temple area include a drain for 9,085,173.89 and internal roads for 3,775,749.93. The report notes that a project for toilet systems at Barandi Temple was recommended for cancellation due to implementation problems, while the Hiriwadunna Bridge to Pinnawala walking path development is pushed to 2025. Other completed works mentioned include the Kalukohuthenna Bridge renovation at 4,056,575.72 and the restoration of paintings at Bisowela Rajamaha Viharaya at 125,420.00. The total listed expenditure for these administrative and development efforts reached 100,950,588.35 out of a total allocation of 223,460,335.65. Without a clear explanation of where the phantom bypass is located or how millions of rupees were spent, the government faces a deepening crisis of credibility.
