Galle public claim that the ornamental fish on display in some fish tanks at the Ornamental Fish Gallery of Galle Dharmapala Park are not visible due to substandard glass panes used for the tanks. National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka has spent a sum of Rupees thirteen million one hundred and thirty-five thousand (Rs. 13,135,274) on the project which has become an unproductive and vain venture National Audit Office states.
The Ornamental Fish Gallery and Information Centre was established under joint sponsorship of Galle Municipal Council, Galle District Secretariat and National Aquaculture Development Authority. The gallery and information centre were inaugurated by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on invitation of former Ministers Ramesh Pathirana and Kanchana Wijesekara on February 17, 2022.
National Audit Office has instructed that measures should be taken to rectify the issues of the Ornamental Fish Gallery and Information Centre. National Aquaculture Development Authority has responded to the Audit Office stating that an agreement has been entered into with the Galle Municipal Council for the maintenance of the project. Although National Aquaculture Development Authority has requested the respective contractor to rectify the problems of the project using the retained deposit of the contract, no progress has been affected yet.
When contacted Galle Municipal Commissioner R.S.D. Rasnayake on the matter, she said the maintenance of the fish gallery is done as per the agreement entered into between the council and the contractor and admitted that there had been imperfections since the beginning of the project. The maintenance affairs are executed as per an agreement between the council and a contractor. However, a common consent has been arrived with the contractor to correct the deficiencies in the project, she further said.
The post Ornamental Fish Gallery at Galle Dharmapala Park, a sterile venture – Audit Report appeared first on DailyNews.