Marikkar tears into Rs. 500 b Supplementary Estimate

Friday, 19 December 2025 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB MP S.M. Marikkar

Questions Govt. over Rs. 250 b allocation to repair bridges, railways, roads, irrigation, schools and hospitals when RDA alone reported Rs. 190 b funding requirement
Calls for credible disaster estimates before losing face to global donor agencies

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday tore into the Government’s Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate for post-Ditwah recovery in 2026.

“The estimates show an allocation of Rs. 250 billion for bridges, railways, roads and highways, irrigation, schools, and hospitals,” the MP said, joining the debate at the special Parliamentary session to approve the Rs. 500 billion recovery spending plan.

“However, the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) I chair in this Parliament earlier this week was told that the Road Development Authority (RDA) alone requires Rs. 190 billion and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Rs. 50 billion to restore damaged infrastructure,” Marikkar charged.

“Is the Government’s narrative like the Santa Claus story? Its estimates are not realistic because the full extent of the damages is not yet known. We believe the Rs. 500 billion estimate is inadequate. According to unofficial estimates we’ve received, total infrastructure damages exceed Rs. 900 billion. Sri Lanka cannot afford this,” he said, questioning whether the Government had an effective plan to tap into the global donor community.

The Parliamentary SOC on Infrastructure and Strategic Development chaired by Marikkar earlier this week were told by State officials that three major State agencies face an estimated Rs. 216 billion infrastructure funding requirement following damage caused by the Ditwah-related natural disasters.

“If we cannot provide credible estimates of the damage and funding requirements, no donor agency will take Sri Lanka seriously,” Marikkar warned.