Minister Ranatunga resists govt.’s move to abolish UDSA

… wants Cabinet to reconsider restructuring institutions under him

Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who is also the Chief Government Whip, has found fault with a committee appointed by Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies Ministry coming under President Ranil Wickremesinghe for recommending the abolition of the Urban Development Settlement Authority (UDSA).

The SLPP heavyweight has told a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Parliament that the abolition of the UDSA is a crime.

The committee appointed by the Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies Ministry has recommended either the abolition or the restructuring of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources, State Engineering Corporation, Ocean View Development, Hotel Developers, mine clearing unit and UDSA.

Minister Ranatunga has said that the committee tasked with making recommendations did not consult the relevant officials and State Ministers and him.

Declaring that his ministry wouldn’t accept the recommendations made by the Finance Ministry committee, Minister Ranatunga has said that the Cabinet of Ministers will be requested to reconsider the committee’s recommendation.

The ongoing restructuring programme undertaken by the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government is in line with the IMF’s recommendations. (SF)