Supplementary estimate to purchase power sets

Irangika RANGE and Sandasen MARASINGHE

The Government yesterday presented a paper seeking Parliament approval for the allocation of a supplementary estimate of Rs. 4,750 million to purchase power sets, engines and to upgrade the coastal railway line.

Chief Government Whip and Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardene presented the paper in the House.

The explanatory note of the paper said that in 2009 the budgetary allocation approval has been granted for a sum of Rs. 1,000 million for the purchase of power sets and engines from the Foreign Aid Loan through the Indian Loan Scheme.

However, it has been estimated that Rs 2,500 million will be spent in 2009 and 30 percent of the total expenditure has already been paid as an advance.

Accordingly, Rs 1,450 million for purchasing of 15 power sets from the Foreign Aid Loan, a sum of Rs 1,500 million from the Foreign Aid Loan and a sum of Rs 300 million from the Foreign Aid Related Domestic Fund for upgrading of the Coastal Railway line and Rs 1,000 million under Foreign Aid Loan for the purchase of power sets and engines are required and the additional provision requirement is Rs 4,750 million.