Colombo (News 1st); JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday (24) voiced serious concern over leasing the Arcade Independence Square in Colombo to a private company.
“The Urban Development Authority used over Rs. 700 million from the tax-payers for the construction of Arcade Independence Square,” he told Parliament adding it became a burden to the UDA when it came to operating it and maintaining it and it eventually became a loss-making entity.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Arcade Independence Square was now leased to Softlogic Holdings chaired by Ashok Pathirage for 10 years.
“This government came into power claiming they would protect state resources,” he said.
“How does leasing Arcade Independence Square in Colombo link with your mandate? How was it leased ?,” questioned Dissanayake.
He said Arcade Independence Square in Colombo is not the personal property of State Minister Nalaka Godahewa or Gotabaya Rajapaksa and therefore, questioned if due process was followed in leasing the premises.
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