President Disanayake Urges Completion of 2025 Budget Projects Amid Delays and Allocations Woes

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has urged the Urban Development, Construction, and Housing Ministry to ensure the timely completion of projects launched under the 2025 Budget. The President's warning comes amidst a recurring problem of unspent allocations and project delays. A review of projects implemented under the 2025 Budget allocations for the ministry was held on 25 August, where progress across all provinces was examined in detail.

The review covered various sectors, including housing and urban development, city planning, solid waste management, environmental protection, and water supply and sanitation. Notably, 18 bridge projects in Hambantota District had been abandoned mid-construction, leaving temporary access roads deteriorate into unsafe tracks. The President instructed the Ministry to assess the feasibility of completing the works.

The President emphasized the need to complete projects within the year of initiation and warned ministries against failing to utilize allocated funds within set timelines. He also called for greater attention to community needs in planning housing and construction projects. President Disanayake stressed that high-rise housing complexes already allocated to urban communities should be renovated and upgraded before handover. A structured mechanism for long-term maintenance must be established.

Top takeaways from the review include:

• **18 bridge projects abandoned in Hambantota District:** The President instructed the Ministry to assess the feasibility of completing the works, leaving temporary access roads deteriorate into unsafe tracks.
• **Community needs in planning:** The President emphasized the need to consider community needs in planning housing and construction projects, particularly in previously neglected areas.
• **High-rise housing renovation:** President Disanayake stressed that high-rise housing complexes already allocated to urban communities should be renovated and upgraded before handover.
• **Structured maintenance:** A structured mechanism for long-term maintenance must be established for all completed housing projects.
• **Survey on demand demand in semi-urban areas:** The President directed officials to carry out a survey to assess demand in semi-urban areas before launching new high-rise projects.
• **Legal disputes related to land acquisition payments:** The President called for practical proposals to address ongoing legal disputes related to land acquisition payments.

Statistics mentioned in the review include:

• **18 bridge projects abandoned:** Out of the total projects, 18 were left uncompleted in Hambantota District.
• **Resettlement projects to be completed:** Housing schemes supported by Chinese and Indian loans, including those in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, were reviewed, with officials expressing confidence that resettlement projects would be completed this year.

Sources:

• President's Media Division (No Date Available)

"President emphasizes need to complete 2025 budget projects amid delays and allocations woes"

Source: President's Media Division