Herath accuses moves to relocate justice ministry at high cost

COLOMBO (News1st): Opposition parliamentarian Vijitha Herath has accused the justice ministry of wasting state funds by moving to a new building at an exorbitant cost. "A Rs 410 million is to be paid as rent for two years. This includes an expenditure of Rs 170 million per month," the Jathika Jana Balawegaya parliamentarian said in Parliament. But Justice minister Ali Sabry defended the move to relocate the ministry, citing it should be located near its affiliated bodies such as the judicial services commission and the attorney general's department. "...if we separate these institutions and travel to a completely different place the people will be severely inconvenienced," Sabry argued. He also claimed that the rent for the building only stands at Rs 236 million for two years and that the Rs 400 million sum included expenses for utility services and other costs. Herath said that a few other ministries are also to be shifted at a time when the public has been affected due to rising costs of living.