- Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation and Resettlement denies vacant claims
by Hafsa Sabry
Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation and Resettlement D. M. Swaminathan
The Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation and Resettlement has come under fire for renting a building at a cost of Rs. 5 million per month which has remained unoccupied for nearly two months.
It was alleged that a building located in Kollupitiya was selected by the tender committee two months ago as the ministry office; however the newly rented building seems to be unoccupied to date.
Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation and Resettlement D. M. Swaminathan had even obtained cabinet approval to rent-out a building that would conveniently house all departments under one roof. As a result, around Rs. 12 million had been paid as an inducement for the building. In addition to the inducement, the rent has also been paid for the last two months.
Private Secretary to the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation and Resettlement R. Dullewa told The Sunday Leader that contrary to media reports the building had been rented only in July this year and not two months ago. He said that a few months back they had run newspaper advertisements stating that the ministry was in need of an office to house all six institutions that come under its authority. Accordingly, the passport and immigration office was selected by the tender committee but was rejected as it was occupied.
R. Dullewa further stated that another building located on Duplication Road was selected for the second time and cancelled as the building was to be shared with another company and it lacked parking space for the ministry vehicles.
“Finally the building located in Kollupitiya was selected but was appealed as the rent was high. We wanted a sq.ft for Rs. 100 but the rent finally was agreed at around Rs. 140 per sq.ft,” he added.
Dullewa claimed that the extent of land was 35,000 sq. ft and Rs. 4.9 million will be paid as a monthly rent. “The media claims we rented the building two months ago which is not true; they will only write the negative side of the story and it is not even true,” he said.
Dullewa also claimed that the ministry is saving money by housing all institutions under the ministry in one place as they do not have to spend on separate security staff, cleaning staff, vehicles, petrol and a lot more for each building they acquire. The ministry spends money on petrol for members from all departments under the ministry to come to the head office to attend meetings from several places and all that spending, from now on, will be cut down and saved, said Dullewa.
However, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake alleged the entire procedure was corrupt and even questioned Minister Swaminathan on this regard in parliament in March 2016. The private secretary to the minister accepts that the minister was questioned and that Minister Swaminathan had given him appropriate answers. He also says that the building was rented in July. Questions remain as to how the issue could have been raised in parliament even before it was rented.
Meanwhile it is also learnt that the building was earlier rented by the FCID for Rs. 120 per sq. ft. It had later fallen vacant after the FCID office was shifted due to lack of parking space. However, the ministry had rented the building for around Rs. 140 per sq. ft.
It was reported in the media that the minister, overlooking the first two tenders with lower rentals, had gone for the third tender.
The secretary was contradictory in his response to The Sunday Leader as he stated that the building had been rented and was under renovation.
“No one will give their building for us to renovate without paying the rent. That is what happened to the ministry. We rented it and renovated it which delayed the process of shifting all six institutions and the head office. However, now the building is being occupied,” Dullewa added.