The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer to Question 1269/2025 is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes, there are partially constructed buildings in government schools that were later abandoned.

¶ 03 (ii) Number by province (existing partially constructed/abandoned buildings): - Western 77 - Southern – - Central 29 - North Western 23 - Uva 01 - North Central 38 - Sabaragamuwa 89 - Northern 60 - Eastern 39 Total 356

¶ 04 (iii) Reasons for delay: - Construction oversight was handled by engineers and technical staff attached to the “Nearest School – Best School” Project Management Unit, which the new Government closed in 2020. The Ministry of Education then lacked adequate technical staff to continue works, and COVID-19 further prevented completion within project timelines. - Subsequently, with the economic crisis, construction works were temporarily halted. When attempting to restart, contractors were unwilling to perform under the original contract prices. - Some buildings commenced with private or other donor funds remained incomplete as funding proved insufficient.

¶ 05 (iv) Budgetary allocations for completion in 2025: The Government reviewed all such projects in 2025 and 2026, examined the contracts, and wherever possible negotiated with existing contractors to reach agreement and complete. Budget allocations in 2025 and 2026 prioritized completing incomplete projects. Some buildings that had become unusable will be abandoned; for those that can be continued, funds have been allocated, subject to resolving contractual issues.

¶ 06 Separately, a broader listing (total identified under various inventories) recorded: - Western 90 - Southern 4 - Central 29 - North Western 38 - Uva 8 - North Central 82 - Sabaragamuwa – - Northern 82 - Eastern 44 Total 468 (Many of these were started years ago and halted; escalating costs now require revised agreements. Funding limits also constrain some sites; some externally-initiated works must be finished with state funds.)

¶ 07 (v) Completion timeframe: Works will be completed expeditiously as contractual and funding constraints are resolved. Where prior unit prices no longer reflect current market rates, renegotiations are underway.

¶ 08 (vi) Safety/precautions: Principals have been instructed not to use unsafe partially built structures. Where partially built blocks are in limited use for teaching, principals have been directed to ensure adequate safety for children.

¶ 09 (vii) Methodology to complete safely/quickly: Address the issues in (v): renegotiate contracts to current prices, secure necessary allocations, and phase implementation to complete viable buildings while abandoning those beyond recovery.

¶ 10 (b) Not applicable.