Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa charged that the Government is rushing to declare open development projects prior to the election, raising concerns about construction standards.
Premadasa made these comments referring to the construction of the artificial hockey rink at Reed Avenue in Colombo, alleging that the Director General of the Sports Development Department has pressured the developers of the project to rush its construction.
“We have no objections to this project, it is a very good one. But the asphalt concrete laid out on such a rink has to be allowed to dry for a minimum of 20 days,” Premadasa said, addressing Parliament.
Premadasa charged that the Director General of the Sports Development Department has instructed the foreign developer to complete the project as soon as possible. “The asphalt concrete has been laid on the 31st of July, 2024.
Accordingly, the shock pad underlay used in this artificial turf was supposed to be laid on a date around the 19th or 20th of August, he revealed.
“But due to the pressure exerted by the Director General, they have now begun laying the shock pad underlay. What is the reason? To somehow declare this hockey rink open by the 15th of August,” the Opposition Leader said.
The Opposition Leader urged the Government not to resort to such action, risking the quality of construction and wasting funds on substandard construction. (Newswire)
