Proposed relocation of TT President’s House, etc.,

Many readers would have been flabbergasted when they read the news of the plan to relocate the Presidential Palace, Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Presidential Secretariat to Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte from their present locations in Colombo.

The Minister of Urban Development has stated that the money for this relocation will be allocated from the next year’s budget. He is a real optimist if he can think of getting money for a project like this even next year judging from the bankruptcy situation of the country. It was only the other day that the Cabinet spokesman stated that the government has no money to repair and widen the Kotaleeya bridge in the Manampitiya area which is not only narrow but also in a dilapidated condition. This would not cost one twentieth of the amount that would be required for the relocation of the buildings referred to above.

Temple Trees

The ministers must get the priorities right before venturing out on tasks which cost a huge amount of money when there are people who cannot afford to have even one meal a day.

The paddy farmers have to be given a fair deal in respect of their harvest so that they will not fall into debt like the government. Our exports have to be increased with the state giving all assistance needed by the industries concerned so that the country can obtain the foreign exchange required to settle the debts. All red tape and lethargy of the government employees who handle these matters should be eliminated.

These are matters that have to be attended to immediately to get the country out of this mess created by international borrowings to construct white elephants.

HM NISSANKA WARAKAULLE