SJB TO CALL FOR A DEBATE ON RAJAGIRIYA-ATHURUGIRIYA HIGHWAY DEAL

• Question was raised in Parliament some time ago and the government has failed to come out with an answer

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is slated to call for a debate on what it called an unrealistic deal which the government had got into with a company that had undertaken the construction of the elevated highway from Rajagiriya to Athurugiriya where the former will have to pay a total of $1.6 billion, an SJB MP alleged yesterday.

SJB MP Harsha de Silva said his party is contemplating calling for a debate on the deal. “We have raised the question in Parliament some time ago and the government has failed to come out with an answer for it. therefore, we will possibly call for a debate on the matter,” he said.

Dr. De Silva alleged during a press conference that a paper is to be presented to the cabinet shortly under which the government will pay $162 million annually to the company, which had undertaken the project.

“This is because the company expects a viability financial gap payment. this has been requested as it is expected that there will not be sufficient traffic along the Rajagiriya and Athurugiriya stretch.the arrangement is that the contractor will build the highway with its own funds and recover it through the toll fee within 15 years,” Dr. De Silva said.

“Another issue highlighted is the environmental impact of the road. The road is said to traverse a wetland. Therefore, the government is to change the gazette notification under which the particular wetland was declared as a Ramsa site.we have heard that the type of activities permitted within this wetland is going to be changed,” he alleged.