45 lakhs paid by government for Sabeetha's house at Rajagiriya ...

45 lakhs paid by government for Sabeetha's house at Rajagiriya ... closed for 11 months

It was revealed in parliament day-before-yesterday that the mdern building situated in Rajagiriya supposed to be belonging to Upali Jayasingha, husband of film star Sabeetha Perera was taken on rent to be utilised for the Ministry of Agriculture on rent for 245 lakhs on a monthly
basis but has incidentally been left closed for a period of 11 months in vain, squandering public funds amounting to 27 crores. 

The transaction over this building has been carried out on a basis of a rapport and was highlighted by the media in various ways before this; but officials of the government have not made any official explanation concerning this. Minister Gayantha exposed matters in this connection by responding to a question posed by MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa in parliament. On that occasion the Minister accepted the fact that a sum of close upon two and a half crores (245 lakhs) was expended for the said building to D.P. Jayasingha and Company saying that he accepts the fact that the money has been allotted from the budget, explaining that approximately 150 crores has been allocated for various Ministries on a monthly rental basis. Whatever it is, Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanaike was not present in parliament to explain matters about the wastage of money so pointed out while Minister of State for Agriculture Wasantha Aluvihare only said that this query would be directed to the Minister concerned.

It was President Maithripala Sirisena who declared open this exquisite building situated along Parliament Road in Rajagiriya and the building was equipped with modern facilities comprising 10 floors and that the construction was completed in the month of October 2015. The building has a space of about 1 lakh square feet and it is understood that it has a car park where over a 100 vehicles could be parked. However, later problems began to crop up as to how this building given on rent for a monthly rental and which a Ministry of the government can hardly bear to pay. According to what has been revealed by Sunday Leader newspaper in July 2016 this Agriculture Ministry which was taken on lease by the government has been transacted on a basis outside tender procedures and this point raises problems where audit reports are concerned. What MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has pointed out was that these owners have taken steps to secure the approval of the Prime Minister in this connection.