A controversial smart street lighting project launched by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has resulted in a staggering Rs. 2.45 billion financial loss, as revealed during a recent Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) hearing.
The project, initially promoted as a zero-cost initiative for the CMC, has instead incurred major financial damages. The former Municipal Commissioner, testifying before the committee, stated that she had opposed certain contract conditions, which led to threats from officials linked to the project.
Serious security concerns were also raised regarding the project, as it was revealed that control over street lighting in high-security zones was held by the contractor for an extended period. The commissioner warned that such control posed a potential national security risk and confirmed that she had alerted the relevant authorities.
Following these revelations, COPA instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to initiate an immediate probe into the matter. The committee also stressed the need for strict oversight on future municipal projects to prevent financial mismanagement and security risks. (Islandnews)
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