Garbage project in crisis: US$ 10m to be paid to Chinese firms By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s):The Aruwakkalu sanitary landfill’s Chinese contractors have closed down project offices, heavily trimmed local staff and sent many of their Chinese employees back because the Urban Development Authority (UDA) has fallen back on US$ 10mn worth of payments up to March this year.Work is continuing, but slowly. The contractors are holding talks with the Urban Development Ministry for a solution which, if not forthcoming, could lead to a suspension of the project on June 12. Three offices were closed down and ten staff quarters relinquished to save on rent, said Chandana Gunawardana, the main contractor’s Deputy Project Manager. “Unfortunately, we have a huge cash flow problem.”The project contract was signed as far back as December 2017. The building of the landfill in Aruwakkalu went ahead despite strong opposition by environmentalists and residents of the Puttalam district.

Source: Sunday Times June 05, 2022 23:31 UTC