The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena

¶ 01 Hon. Member, loans must be repaid, and we are doing so. Separately, our Budget allocates for road development under four main headings. One is the “Widening and Improvement” programme—83 projects were to start this year; so far, contracts have been awarded for 20 and work has commenced, 42 are in procurement, and several are pending NPD approvals. Within the next month, we will award contracts for 23 more and commence them.

¶ 02 Next, under the “Weak Bridges” programme, 27 bridges were lined up for construction this year—contracts have been awarded for 19, seven are in procurement, and one needs estimates finalized. Within two months we will award all 27. The “Rapid Overlay” surfacing programme of Rs. 18.5 billion covering 225 km will also be completed within two months. For years, road development stalled; now, with the volume of contracts being awarded, the country will inevitably become a full worksite in the next 2–3 months.

¶ 03 Also, current contract awards are coming in at 24–30 percent below the engineer’s estimate, leaving savings that we can channel to rural roads next year. With proper management and without commissions, we are moving ahead. That is my answer.