No decision to pay Rs 4bn in late fees to Taisei - Min. Kabir Hashim

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - Minister of Highways and Road Development Kabir Hashim confirmed on Saturday (July 7th) that Japanese construction firm Taisei Corp had demanded a late fee from the Government with regard to the construction of the Colombo Outer Circular Expressway (Kaduwela -- Kadawatha section). On the 2^nd of July News 1^st exposed that the infamous Taisei Corp., which secured the contract to build phase three of the Central Expressway contravening accepted tender procedure, was seeking compensation of over Rs. 4 billion from the government as a late fee for the Colombo Outer Circular Highway. While confirming that they had received such a request, Min. Hashim noted that they have not made any decision to make such a payment to the company. While expressing these views the Minister quickly changed the subject Southern Expressway and noted that it has now been proven that the estimate prepared for the Southern Expressway by the Rajapaksa's is wrong. Reverting to the earlier topic Min. Hashim stated that he was intouch with the Japanese Embassy as well and noted that they have decided to conduct a transparent review through a committee before reaching a decision