Champika speaks about wastage at Arcade in Independence Square

A glass in underground fish tank at Arcade ... 350 lakhs!

A fish ... 65000!

Electricity bills amounting to lakhs ... not paid!

 -- Minister Champika

Minister of Megapolis Champika Ranawaka speaking at the the World Habitat Day Commemoration held at Maligawatta yesterday pointed out that the previous regime had squandered a large sum of money for development of the city. On this occasion he spoke thus: "Here onwards no favouritism

would be considered for Contractors. It will be given on a formal procedure. At the same time not recognising priorities we are facing has created enormous difficulties. We have made large super markets, Arcade Independence, Racecourse and floating market places .... but it has not been possible to pay the electricity bills upto now.

One glass used for the fish tank at the Arcade alone has cost 350 lakhs. The fish used in the tank ... amounts to Rs. 65000. These have become white elephants now.  We have to maintain those by charging taxes from the people for things like dhal, petrol, sugar. If some facility is provided for affluent people, they must be prepared to pay for those. We'll we making policies for those".