The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Sir, the Answer is as follows: (a) (i) Yes. (ii) Rs. 431.8 million.

¶ 02 Details: 1. Construction of 20 tanks – Rs. 143,939,710.11 2. Internal roads (40 km) of the elephant detention centre at Lunugamwehera National Park – Rs. 23,324,724.00 3. Culverts on internal roads – Rs. 17,709,849.90 4. Service roads (30 km) of the centre – Rs. 17,709,849.90 5. Culverts on service roads – Rs. 55,010,955.33 6. Removal of undergrowth and invasive plants on 400 hectares along roads – Rs. 21,680,506.00 7. Construction of a surrounding fence/wall for the centre – Rs. 136,700,573.21 8. Payment to the Department of Railways for rail sleepers (4,333) transported by rail – Rs. 15,815,699.40 Total – Rs. 431,891,867.85

¶ 03 (iii) Allocations under the World Bank’s Ecosystem Conservation and Management Project and the Wildlife Conservation Fund. An allocation of Rs. 279.3 million from the World Bank and Rs. 152.5 million from the Wildlife Conservation Fund has been made. (iv) Aware that such allegations have been made. (v) Yes. At the Ministerial level, a preliminary inquiry is being conducted; further steps will be taken based on the findings revealed.

¶ 04 (b) Does not arise.