The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Madam, I also referred this issue to the Committee on Public Finance chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva. The Committee inquired into it and submitted a 600-page report which clearly recommended that the Auditor-General submit a forensic audit on the prospective loss from awarding this contract to a dubious Dubai-registered company that used VFS as a front. I do not know why VFS entered such a contract; being a reputed company, their name was tarnished. The main matter is up for argument on 20 November and we are yet to receive the Auditor-General’s forensic audit. I place on record a request that it be expeditiously provided so the petitioners can bring it to the court’s notice.

¶ 02 Turning to today’s Bill, the National Building Research Institute Bill: the existing National Building Research Organization performs an important function in disaster management and related areas. It is appropriate to strengthen it by statute. However, the Institute’s structure should include representation from the Urban Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation. Further, instead of leaving professional appointments to the Minister’s discretion, nominees from the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka should be included.

¶ 03 On disasters faced recently: Akurana area has experienced frequent floods. We requested the District Development Committee to involve the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, which has already submitted a feasibility report. Yet no concrete decision has been made beyond action against unauthorized structures contributing to flooding. With the monsoon upon us, urgent, scientific interventions are needed to contain repeated flooding in Akurana.

¶ 04 Several schools in the Central Province have been damaged by landslides; more than 50 to 60 buildings in Kandy District alone are now unusable due to landslide threats. I request this Institute to report so the Ministry of Education can provide funds to replace these buildings.

¶ 05 Finally, skyscrapers are rising across Colombo and suburbs—40 to 50 floors in some cases—while the Colombo Municipal Council lacks adequate firefighting capacity. Since the Government controls the Council now, it must ensure access to equipment—cranes and ladders—capable of reaching such heights to manage fires in high-rises. This, too, relates to disaster management within the Institute’s purview.

¶ 06 Having said that, I congratulate the Government on bringing this Bill. Thank you.