Billions pilfered on pretext of constructing roads – Anura reveals

From Lanka Truth

JVP Leader Anura Dissanayaka questions the government whether it is necessary to spend Rs.7170 million for a kilometre of a road constructed in the country. He said this at a rally held in Nittambuwa town yesterday (9th).

Speaking further about road development Mr. Dissanayaka said, “I must talk something about road development carried out by this government. An express-way was opened this year in India from Mumbai to Nashik. It is 150 kilometres long with 5 lanes. The cost was Rs.94000 million.  The Southern Expressway was completed in 2011. It is 130 kilometres long with 4 lanes but the cost was Rs.96000 million. The highway could have been constructed up to Katharagama with that money. The money to construct the road from Pinnawala to Katharagama has been pilfered by Rajapaksas.

In Kenya a superhighway was constructed from Nairobi to Thikka. It is 50 kilometres long with 8 lanes. The cost was Rs.47000 million. This government constructed the Katunayaka Expressway. It is 22 kilometres long with 4 lanes. The cost to construct it was Rs.52000 million. The road could have been extended beyond Chilaw with that money. Billions have been pilfered by constructing roads.

As these gentlemen talk about roads we must say something more about roads.

This government commenced constructing the Colombo outer Circular Highway. The contract for the construction in three stages – Kottawa to Kaduwela, Kaduwela to Kadawatha and Kadawatha to Kerawalapitiya were given. The length from Kottawa to Kaduwela is 11 kilometers. The cost was Rs.49310 million. The cost for a kilometre was Rs.2723 million. The length from Kaduwela to Kadawatha is 8.9 kilometres. The cost is Rs.49310 million. The cost to construct one kilometer is Rs.5540 million. The distance from Kadawatha to Kerawalapitiya is 9.3 kilometres. The cost is Rs.66700 million. The cost for a kilometre is Rs.7170 million. This is the ‘development’ the government is talking about. We would like to ask the people in this country whether it is necessary to construct a road with a cost of Rs.7170 million a kilometre.”

Watch - Anura Dissanayake's Parliament Speech on 2015 Budget on 01.11.2014

The Bribery Commission is in possession of dossiers containing charges against 38 ministers, but it has initiated any inquiries because of vested interests, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament today.

He said instead the Bribery Commission was attempting to narrow its field of inquiry by taking action only against those who are critical of the Government.

"In know of a case where a certain minister started slandering the Government. Then, the Bribery Commission started an investigation into charges against him and this made the minister concerned to relent and shut his mouth. Several complaints on major incidents of bribery and corruption had been lodged with the Commission. But little or nothing is happening about them," he said. "It is hilarious to note how charges against any person or politician are probed as soon as he turns against the Government.”