Arbitrary procurement process followed for Borella & Thalawathugoda housing schemes

COLOMBO (News 1st): If the proposed apartment schemes planned to be constructed in Elliot Street, Borella and another in Thalawathugoda is carried out, they could be regarded as the largest housing projects carried out by the Urban Development Authority for middle income earning families. The reason being, 800 middle-income earners will be provided with an apartment, if these projects are completed. However, the status quo of the two projects would prove that these projects are still up in the air. The contract of construction for the apartment complex in Thalawathugoda was granted on January 2nd, 2018. However, construction has not even commenced. Although the contract of construction for the apartment complex in Elliot Road in Borella was granted on November 11th 2017, when considering the progress of the construction, the only viable option would be to cancel the tender. Such a decision to cancel has not been avoided in the conditions imposed on the tender. However, it should be assumed that the Urban Development Authority will not make such a decision. One key reason being, that the Urban Development Authority acting arbitrarily during the procurement process throughout the course of these projects, while clear procurement guidelines have been established in the country. The probes conducted by the National Procurement Commission into the handing over of these questionable tenders prove that while the funds of the Sri Lankan Government are being spent on these projects, the Urban Development Authority has acted in a biased manner towards a foreign construction firm. At a time where the Urban Development Authority is acting in such a manner, it is yet another questionable fact as to why the cabinet of ministers seems to be turning a blind eye regarding the matter. However, the cabinet of ministers has now been granted the opportunity to arrive at a proper decision regarding the two contracts, since an ambiguous cabinet memorandum has been published.