Govt seeks approval for Rs 20 billion

The government yesterday submitted a motion to Parliament seeking approval for a supplementary estimate of Rs. 20 billion to be paid from the Consolidated Fund for a special project named Construction of Defence Headquarters.

The supplementary estimate had been forwarded by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Minister of Defence and was presented to the House by the Chief Government Whip, Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Explanations regarding the supplementary estimate says: it is essential to obtain provisions for a special project by the name of "Construction of Defence Headquarters' for the estimate under the Ministry of Defence, to demonstrate special activities, which are external from the usual activities of the Ministry of Defence, by commencing a special project enabling to credit the funds obtained through selling lands, as to assure the timely and effective utilization of funds for the purpose of expediting the reconstitution and redeveloping of the Ministry of Defence and Defence related institutions.