by Chitra Weerarathne
A second official residence has been constructed for the Director General of Irrigation in Jawatta Road, Colombo 5, utilizing money allocated for five irrigation projects, a writ application filed in the Court of Appeal by the Institution for Human Rights and Attorney-at-Law Sudharshana Gunewardene said.

While one official residence was already available at St. Peter’s Lane, Wellawatte, the new residence was constructed at a cost of Rs. 15 million of state funds, the petition explained.

Money for this construction was not approved by parliament, as the financial regulations require, the petition added.

Among the irrigation projects for which the aforesaid money had been prescribed are Maura-Malaviyara Development Project, the Welioya Bund and the Gravity Development Project, the petition said.

The petition requested the Court of Appeal to compel the respondents, the Director General of Irrigation and others, to recover the loss of public funds from the persons responsible, and further, to hold a disciplinary inquiry against the persons responsible for breaching the financial regulations of the state.

The petition was supported in the Court of Appeal on September 17 by J. C. Weliamuna, appearing with Ms Luwangi Weerapana.

Notice was issued on the respondents, the Director General of Irrigation and six others, returnable on November 1.

The Bench comprised Justice Nihal Jayasinghe and Justice D. J. de S. Balapatabendi.