One of China’s frontline companies operating in Sri Lanka, the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is claiming US$ 39.6 million as “cost variation and price escalation” for building the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. The awarded contract value of the project was US$ 209 million of which the Exim Bank of China provided US$ 190 million as a “concessionary loan.” The variations claimed have been reviewed by an independent committee.
The External Resources Division earlier tried to get the Exim Bank of China to provide a loan for the variations costs but this was turned down.
Now, the Government has obtained proposals from five different banks operating in Sri Lanka – the National Savings Bank, the National Development Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the People’s Bank and the Bank of Ceylon. A Government official said a decision on the bank or banks is now being made.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that the suspect in the rape of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura teaching hospital has been identified as an army deserter and he will be apprehended shortly.
Police have arrested the suspect connected to the sexual assault on a female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital today morning in Galnewa.
The Dutch Public Prosecutor suspects two companies of paying bribes in the construction of hospitals in Sri Lanka, according to an investigation by FD, the Dutch financial newspaper.
The Minister of Power, Kumara Jayakody, stated that in the future, internationally funded projects, such as power projects, will only be carried out through government-to-government (G2G) agreements and competitive procurement.
The Government today tabled in the House the Report of the Commission to Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Unlawful Places of Detention and Torture Chambers in the Batalanda Housing Scheme.
Israel, a major player in the global diamond and jewellery trade, has invited Sri Lankan gem and jewellery businessmen and designers to collaborate with Israeli diamond traders.
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