By Tharindu Chaturanga
Over 10 million worth of steel has been stolen from a China funded railway project in the south, officials told The Morning.
The Chinese company involved in the construction of the Matara- Kataharagama railway extension track said that it has incurred a loss of over Rs. 10 million as a result of the missing steel, mostly parts of the railway track.
The construction work is being carried out by China Railway and China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation.
China Railway Engineering Company, Operation, Health and Safety manager Thushara Gunarathne said that about 150 complaints have been lodged at the Thangalle, Dikwella, Matara and Beliatta police stations.
Several suspects have been arrested in connection with the complaint and legal action has been filed against them, Gunarathne further added.
The project is being funded by China Exim bank with an investment of US$ 250 million.
Pictures by Lalith Perera
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