Parliament Modernisation: A project of redundancy and absurdity

(November,19, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The final Audit report on the much controversial Parliament in Sri Lanka modernisation project calls this, in effect is a white Elephant wasting Foreign Donor funds.

According to the Parliament Secretary General’s report, the cost of the communication infrastructure alone is a staggering 400% over the actual cost. Besides, as in many other State projects, this too savours of corrupt overtones.

A year ago, a probe on the setting up of high tech ICT network at a cost of Rs. 75 million revealed that this amount was fourfold over the original estimate of Rs.19 million. Such an increase was absurd by all standards because the same consulting Co. was engaged.

It is a matter of grave concern, as the additional 300 % could be used to implement three other projects of the same magnitude.

Although the monies for this was provided by the UNDP’s ‘modernising Parliament for democracy and development’ program, it is puzzling as to how the Parliament is going to benefit in terms of Democracy and development, particularly at a time when development project funds collected are evaporating into thin air., and it is in the name of democracy the worst crimes and freedom suppression are being inflicted..