It was revealed in Parliament recently that the Ministry of Trade had rented a building for its ministry offices at a monthly rent of Rs.7’2 million rupees.
Located at R.A de Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3 the property owned by L.H Piyasena & Company has been taken for the Ministry of Trade and the Government Valuation Department also given its approval for this rental.
This was revealed in Parliament recently when Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena tabled it in response to a question raised by Thushara Indunil of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
Mr. Bandula Gunawardena justifying this situation stated that there is not enough space at present to maintain the Ministry of Commerce and the relevant student institutions properly.
Since a Ministry deal with foreign partners foreign missions and other VIPs, he believes that there should be a ample space and quality office space.
However, the Ministry sources stated that there is ample space in the institution for the work to be done within the scope of the Ministry of Trade and a sufficient space in the office of the Export Development Board for foreign trade missions and even though such space is not sufficient, the Ministry of Trade Critics say there is no difference between spending so much money on buildings and the previous government spending so much money on the Ministry of Agriculture to get a building.
