(UTV|COLOMBO) – Former Minister of Highways Lakshman Kiriella accuses the government of China of deliberately delaying the transfer of funds to construct the stretch between Kadawatha and Mirigama along the proposed Kandy-Colombo Central Expressway.
Speaking to media in Kandy, Parliamentarian Kiriella said the payments were delayed to bring disrepute to the former Good Governance Government in consultation with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He said former President Rajapaksa agreed to hand the construction of the Kadawatha-Mirigama stretch to China but failed to secure the payments.
The former Minister said despite repeated requests, the Chinese government delayed the due payments during the past four years.
MP Kiriella also claimed that the previous government completed the construction of the 38km Mirigama-Kurunegala stretch and noted by completing two more kilometres along the expressway, the travel time between Kandy and Colombo can be reduced drastically.