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Agriculture ministry will be shifted to Govijana Mandiraya: Minister

19 June 2018 10:12 pm - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today he would, within three months shift the Agriculture Ministry to a State-owned building from the high profile DPJ towers at Battaramulla and that a six-member committee had been appointed to make recommendations.

The committee chaired by Nihal Fernando PC comprises Senior Attorneys Jagath Wickramanayake and Asoka Weerasuriya, former Assistant Auditor General D.L.P. Dias, Civil Engineer Chandana Edirisuriya and Agriculture Ministry Legal Officer G. Hector.

The committee is expected to study the circumstance that led to the Agriculture Ministry being shifted to another building from the state-owned ‘Govijana Mandiraya’ in Battaramulla.

The minister said the DPJ towers leased at an annual rent of Rs.252 million was not suitable to house the Agriculture Ministry and that there were legal issues with regard to the lease agreement.

"This ministry attends to the needs of millions of farmers and the people. The DPJ building lacks space for a proper library, conference room, proper access road waiting rooms, ample elevator facilities and even a spacious vehicle park," he said. "This building appears to have been built with the corporate sector in mind and not the state sector and paying a colossal Rs.21 million a month is extremely unfair. The lease agreement expires in five years and at that time the amount paid will be Rs.1, 560 million, sufficient to build two similar buildings."

The minister has requested the Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya to arrange for the return of the Govijana Mandiraya back to the Agriculture Ministry. He has pointed out that it was a national crime to use the DPJ Towers building while the Agriculture Ministry has its own building. (Sandun A Jayasekera)


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  Comments - 16

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  • sHeHaN Wednesday, 20 June 2018 03:41 AM

    SIr can you give an estimate of the millions of rupees planned to spend for the refurbishment and renovation of Govijana Mandriraya.

    akalankadayananda Wednesday, 20 June 2018 04:56 AM

    Very. late byt correct decision . Punish the culprits who wasted rupees 252,000,000/- annually .

    Indyd Wednesday, 20 June 2018 05:09 AM

    From Ganja Mandiraya right?

    Machan Wednesday, 20 June 2018 07:44 AM

    Sir Thank you for making the correct decision even though it is bit late now.

    Bannis Mama Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:32 AM

    Why are you thanking him? What has he done for his ministry until now? Always demanding for a separate Luxury Office, that is all.

    Perumal Wednesday, 20 June 2018 08:38 AM

    After paying millions to Sabeetha and wasting so much on alterations and partitioning!!

    Unchikun Wednesday, 20 June 2018 09:06 AM

    It dose not matter where you work from. What is important is how you work and the results.

    S.R. Bandara (Snr. Lawyer) Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:30 AM

    Correct these rotten fellows seek Luxury Cars, Luxury Office, Luxury bungalows etc., they are least worried about the country. Dam cheaters.

    Prof. M. Samarakoon Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:26 AM

    Hay Amaraweera, building is not at all important. What have you done for Agriculture until now? I hate your logic man.

    Dr. (Mrs.) Kusuma Siriwardene Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:28 AM

    You are cheating your party and your boss MS, finally for sure when the elections are nearing - you will join with Mahinda.

    Sumal Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:31 AM

    Can't you move this ministry to Polonnaruwa? There is no reason to keep this ministry in Colombo. Similarly move ministry of fisheries to Hambantota and livestock ministry to Nuwara Eliya. This will immensely reduce Colombo traffic.

    Brainmaster Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:40 AM

    the trails of a banana republic. What a waste of money. via DM Android App

    Jayamini Perera Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:43 PM

    Sabithata "aba saranaiy".

    jayasingha Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:54 PM

    Can we recover the rental paid for the Sabeetha Towers during the unused period and use this money to meet expenses for shifting and refurbishing to the new location?

    DG Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:55 PM

    Building is said to be unsuitable then who found it suitable and got Cabinet approval and also pay such huge sum of money. Hope the Committee will disclose true facts and fix responsibility.

    Sincere Wednesday, 20 June 2018 01:23 PM

    Then, how about the millions the agricultural ministry paid to an empty building in Rajagiriya? Will you recover them?


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