PC authorities in dire financial straits

The authorities of provincial councils (PCs) functioning under the governors are in dire financial straits since the Treasury has not released as much as Rs.6 billion to settle bills for projects implemented during the year under review, Daily Mirror learns.

The governors brought this to the notice of President Maithripala Sirisena at a meeting held before he went to Japan.

According to informed sources, the Treasury is in arrears of more than Rs.650 million to the authorities of the Central Provincial Council, Rs.650 million to the North Central Provincial Council and Rs.650 million to the Uva Provincial Council.

There are bills to be settled for various projects such as minor irrigation work and road development at a provincial level. The governors said they were under pressure from respective private sector contractors turning to them for payments due in this regard.

“There is a serious issue in cash flow. We are unable to pay contractors who executed development projects,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)