Dailymirror.lk:
A whopping Rs. 40 million had been spent for the construction of a road stretch of 1.7 kilometres in the Panduwasnuwara Pradeshiya Sabha area in the Kurunegala district, Parliament was informed yesterday. Road Development Deputy Minister Nirmala Kotelawale revealed this in Parliament responding to a question by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.
Mr. Jayasekara said he wondered how such a colossal sum of money was spent for the construction of a road stretch which was less than two kilometers in length. “This is a staggering amount spent by the local authorities,” he said.
However, Mr. Kotelawala said he could not accept the UNP MP’s point.
“I cannot accept what you said. There could have been many culverts and bridges that needed to be constructed along this road. They might have been the reason for the high cost involved. Also, they might have widened the road incurring a heavy cost,” he said.
Mr. Jayasekara responded: “This has happened in my electorate. I know this road very well. There is no such culvert along this road.”
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa also asked the Deputy Minister to look into this allegation by the UNP MP, and do the needful.