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Duminda admits to paying Rs.21 Mn a month for building still unoccupied

8 March 2017 10:48 am - 33     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake has admitted that his Ministry has been paying a monthly rental of Rs.21 million since April 2016 for the new building in Rajagiriya though still unoccupied.
 
“Since April last year, we have been paying a monthly rental of Rs.21 million and have informed the Technical Committee to hand it over to anybody who was in a position to complete the construction work as soon as possible, the minister said in an interview with Daily Mirror.

However, when asked what is the reason behind this transaction, the minister said “Let me give you an example; say that you are giving out a house on rent and I’m interested in renting it out from you, I would tell you that it would take another three months to get the furniture ready. We talk about this transaction in January and then I ask if I may start paying from March since I have to get the furniture done. Would you agree or not? The person giving out the building doesn’t care about when the building would be occupied. I have to change it to suit the needs of an office complex and this would only be possible once I have actually rented out the building.”(Kamanthi Wickremesinghe)

Full Interview

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/We-haven-t-asked-a-cent-from-any-farmer-to-contribute-to-this-project-Duminda-125058.html


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  Comments - 33

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  • AZ Thursday, 09 March 2017 09:33 AM

    Stupidity at its best!!

    Sumal Wednesday, 08 March 2017 01:59 PM

    Over to auditor general.

    j a weerasuriya Wednesday, 08 March 2017 08:49 PM

    President pl ask explanation from this Minister. If he using his own money will he do this. This is equal to Bond scam. This person is not suitable for any government position. Why JO and JVP do not take this up in parliament.

    Raj Wednesday, 08 March 2017 09:15 PM

    I guess with 240Mn the rent paid so far, you can build a new building!! What is the contribution of your ministry to the country?

    seqi Wednesday, 08 March 2017 09:19 PM

    youve been taken for a ride....good for nothing nor ornament via DM Android App

    bobbili Wednesday, 08 March 2017 11:16 PM

    Part of it coming into his pocket ?

    sam Thursday, 09 March 2017 12:32 AM

    Minister do you do business like this project. Can you afford to pay rent without occupying building such a long time. Its not your money people money.What stupid idiot, Could not believe this type people are minister our country.

    cedricillasinghe Thursday, 09 March 2017 01:32 AM

    MOST OF THIS MONEY ( 80 % ) IS GOING TO THISDUMINDA CROOKS BANK A/C ( HELD UNDER BULLSHIT NAMES ).

    sarath sathkumara Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:07 AM

    No wonder Sri Lanka is on he verge of bankruptcy while idiots like this in the leadership is trying justify their stupidity of wasting public money. In India, Modi would have fired him in a second.

    Nimali Wednesday, 08 March 2017 01:34 PM

    These are the kind of incompetent Ministers that are holding SL back.

    Sajeewa Wickey Thursday, 09 March 2017 10:25 AM

    Mr. Minister,Please first of all keep in mind that this is not your money but public fund. These days government as well as people in this country are making herculian task for find out daily bread.

    Perumal Thursday, 09 March 2017 01:13 PM

    These are the people who shoud be beaten with Madu Walige

    Amila Thursday, 09 March 2017 01:58 PM

    Pissek

    Roman Thursday, 09 March 2017 02:24 PM

    Your excellency! you said you have a strong backbone right?! just saying..

    Romes Friday, 10 March 2017 11:00 AM

    ^^ this guy is doing a lot to ensure that he gets reelected at the next elections. i blame the parliament fr agreeing to pay for this.

    weera Saturday, 11 March 2017 12:13 PM

    How can you expect a better future for the people when you have idiots governing the country.

    Raymond Christopher Thursday, 16 March 2017 08:07 AM

    Keep it up going Minister - as it the best example of GG practice - on a best cost effective manner

    Ranjan Fernando Wednesday, 08 March 2017 11:38 AM

    If you were renting out a building for your private business will you be paying so much rent to keep it unoccupied? Remember you are wasting public funds!

    Sabras Wednesday, 08 March 2017 01:27 PM

    The owner of the building might be his relatives...that is why continuously paying the rent without halt it..

    Haramanis Wednesday, 08 March 2017 01:15 PM

    One more Hurrah! - for Yahapalanaya

    Sincere Wednesday, 08 March 2017 01:11 PM

    So, no need of supplementary estimate for your vehicles is necessary now. You can find it here!

    Sincere Wednesday, 08 March 2017 01:10 PM

    "Kathaawa nam doolawen"

    MSR Wednesday, 08 March 2017 01:03 PM

    Not only wasting public funds has the audacity to justify it. Stupid justification too. What a moron of yahapalanaya.

    Sunil Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:53 PM

    Misuse, misappropriation, inefficiency; charges are piling up on this government with hardly anything worthwhile.

    Poor Fellow Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:48 PM

    Isssokay Sir, we will pay tax.

    ceylon Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:38 PM

    stupid answer. via DM Android App

    Bala Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:39 PM

    What a convoluted nonsense of a reply as example. I can imagine two or three moonths ahead but for nearly a year to rent and not ooccpy is a crime.

    Daham Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:34 PM

    Like father like son!

    jan Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:33 PM

    Duminda's example is so stupid.What an idiot.

    Bakaladasa Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:22 PM

    Clear now?

    SD Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:15 PM

    If you are paying from your pocket, would do you do this transaction ? you will ensure that the business will be in using with existing furniture. This is absurd.

    Bakaladasa Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:12 PM

    Clear now?

    Reader Wednesday, 08 March 2017 12:03 PM

    Paying Rs 21 Mn per month for over 10 months and not using it and even for a further period is a waste of public funds which should be looked at by Audits. Poor planning by the Ministry and wasteful expenditure.


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