Low quality cement scam

12 August 2011 10:57 pm

DNA Parliamentary Group Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday charged that a certain powerful figure in the government is behind the low quality cement scam.

Mr. Dissanayake who was speaking during the debate on regulations imposed under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act in the House yesterday alleged that the inferior quality cement had been imported as a result of a deal which the said powerful figure had with a Cement company from Pakistan. Mr. Dissanayake said this deal was finalised when the company owner visited Sri Lanka together with the President of Pakistan recently.
 
He said the cement had been imported by the National Cooperative Council which was an unknown institution that comes under the purview Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade.

The DNA Parliamentary Group Leader said this consignment had been found to be of inferior quality as the compression of this cement is reported to be low.  He said it would be dangerous to use this cement for concrete and these would not be strong. He said the concrete is far from strong and that it would eventually lead the buildings to fall apart. "One could imagine what would happen if this cement is used for schools and hospitals,” he said.
 
He also stated that the consignment had been imported by violating gazette notifications that have been approved by Parliament.
 
Deputy Minister of Transport Rohana Dissanayake who countered Mr. Dissanayake said there is no Crown Prince in the UPFA.  Criticising the DNA Group leader Mr. Dissanayake said the former is overflowing with jealousy and malice of the political success of the UPFA government. (By Yohan Perera)