Connect with us

News

Sri Lanka faces challenges in mega project implementation

Published

on

More than 300 contracts connected to 35 mega projects were suspended last year, and Rs. 2.3 billion was demanded as compensation by contractors for just nine of them, the Finance Ministry’s Project Management and Monitoring Department (PMMD) says, adding there is a probability that claims will also be submitted over another 22.

A total of 37 projects achieved no physical progress during the last quarter of 2023, according to the PMMD’s latest report released last month.

Among them are 17 projects out of 33 for which foreign disbursements were stopped.  Implementation delays are reported in 41 other projects owing to the poor performance of contractors. As this issue prevails in about 20 percent of total projects, it is important to consider the performance of contractors as a criterion for the renewal of their registration to resolve the repetition of this issue, the report states.

The PMMD’s latest data come amidst strong words in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Governance Diagnostic Assessment, which pointed to recurrent problems in how successive Sri Lankan governments carried out mega projects.

Citing the PMMD’s 2022 fourth-quarter report, the multilateral lender notes that the most common issue affecting implementation is the delay in receiving allocation and imprest, “which proves that projects have commenced without appropriate budgetary allocations in the annual budget.” Another was the delay in land acquisition, it states, “again showing that projects are initiated without actually being ready”.

There are also procurement-related matters, the absence of performance indicators and outputs and the poor performance of contracts. And the Ministry of Finance “lacks basic information on projects, including the expected revenues and the potential cost of early termination given the limited data provided on projects and problems accessing necessary data”.

The PMMD’s new report says that delays have been a common practice, with “no evidence reported on actions taken against the responsible parties who have not taken appropriate steps for time management in projects, resulting in the failure of economic plans formulated based on the expected benefits of projects”.

The time period agreed upon for delivering outputs in an astounding 99 projects had lapsed at the end of last year while 20 of them obtained extensions beyond four years. Thirteen projects have not met even 25 percent of the expected target, even after more than half the project period, the PMMD notes.

For the first time, the PMMD has identified 30 projects that faced major implementation delays, including the Irrigation Ministry’s Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project, which was inaugurated this week after ten extensions.

Another flagged project is the Irrigation Ministry’s Asian Development Bank-funded Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme, the scope of which was drastically reduced by withdrawing 11 out of 21 packages owing to failure to execute them within the planned timeframe as well as the inability to begin new contracts in a restricted financial situation.

“The most complex tunnel construction package, which is currently ongoing and achieved about 20% progress, should be completed within 18 months and the balance loan amount of USD 159 million should be disbursed during this period Otherwise, that loan amount will be cancelled without any use.” the PMMD warns.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Rain and winds forecast today

Published

on

By

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today (July 11), the Department of Meteorology said.

A few showers may occur in the North-western province as well.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in North-western, North-central and Southern provinces.

The general public has also been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Continue Reading

News

2024 O/L Exam results released

Published

on

By

The results of the 2024 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination have been released online, the Department of Examination announced.

Accordingly, the Examinations Department announced that the examination results can be obtained from the websites: www.doenets.lk or www.results.exams.gov.lk.

The examination department requests applicants to contact the following hotlines if they seek to make any inquiries regarding these results: 1911 or 011 2 785 922, 0112 786 616, 011 2 784 208 or 011 2 784 537.

The statement further said that applications for the scrutiny of the O/L results will be called from July 14 to July 28.

A total of 474,147 applicants sat for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination this year, of which 398,182 were school applicants and 75,965 private candidates.

The O/L examination was conducted at 3,663 examination centers from March 17 to 26.

Continue Reading

News

President meets Gates Foundation delegation

Published

on

By

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (July 10) met with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, for high-level discussions focused on key areas critical to Sri Lanka’s development. 

The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat, explored collaborative efforts in agricultural modernisation, nutrition, digital public infrastructure and rural technological integration.

Central to the discussions was the Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT) initiative, which leverages data and technology to enable better decision-making and service delivery for smallholder farmers. The initiative represents a shared commitment to modernising agriculture, improving rural livelihoods and enhancing climate resilience.

President Dissanayake welcomed the partnership, expressing optimism about the country’s path forward. “We welcome the continued support of the Gates Foundation as we work together to build a healthier, more equitable and digitally empowered Sri Lanka. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to sustainable development and improving the lives of all our citizens,” he said.

He further noted that the Government seeks the Foundation’s support for its broader programme aimed at integrating rural communities with modern global technology. 

Despite the economic challenges facing the nation, the President expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s engagement and emphasised that the visit would help identify and implement national development priorities.

Representatives of the Gates Foundation reiterated their commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s digital economy strategy. They highlighted that particular focus would be given to the digital transformation of the agriculture sector, with the aim of enhancing productivity and revitalising the economy. The Foundation also assured its full support for the wider socio-economic development agenda, including initiatives in the livestock and dairy industries.

President Dissanayake underscored the importance of connecting rural communities, many of whom remain unaware of global technological advancements, with the tools and knowledge needed for empowerment. He stressed the value of the Foundation’s global experience and technical expertise in addressing development challenges common to many countries.

“One of our Government’s foremost objectives is to extend advanced technology to all levels of society, not only to uplift the national economy but also to improve efficiency across all sectors,” the President noted.

Dr. Elias acknowledged Sri Lanka’s ongoing transformation and welcomed the opportunity for deeper engagement. “We value the opportunity to engage with the Government and local institutions as they pursue strengthened systems to support inclusive growth. Our continued discussions in areas such as agriculture, health and digital infrastructure reflect a shared interest in advancing impactful solutions. I would like to thank the President and the Government of Sri Lanka for their continued commitment to improving the lives of all those living in Sri Lanka,” he stated.

The Gates Foundation delegation included Dr. Chris Elias, President, Global Development Gates Foundation, Jamal Khan, Regional Representative for Policy & Government Relations, South and Southeast Asia; Archna Vyas, Director of Policy Advocacy and Communications, Thushan Wijesinghe, Director Enterprise Data Solutions and Chandita Samaranayake, Chairman Connect To Care. 

The Sri Lankan delegation included Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Mr. Eranga Weeraratne, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy; and Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President.

(President’s Media Division)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved