• Urban development/construction/housing sector under scrutiny with legal action pending   
• Yahapalana-era housing schemes’ ‘massive’ propaganda expenditure and ‘low’ no. of house handovers being probed 

Investigations are underway into irregularities and corruption that took place in the urban development, construction, and housing sector in the past, and legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty, including government officials, if any, said the Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing, T.B. Sarath.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said that if the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, and Parliamentarians serve the country without engaging in corruption and irregularities, public officials should also do the same. “That’s how it should be. Everyone must work in the interest of the people.”

He added that several investigations are already in progress into irregularities and corruption that took place in urban development, construction, and housing. "If anyone is found to have committed fraud or misused public funds, they will be held accountable following these investigations. Be they government officials or anyone else, necessary action will be taken against them."

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet of Ministers media briefing held yesterday (15), Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the United National Front-led Good Governance (Yahapalana) Government had spent several billions of Rupees on propaganda for housing schemes initiated during the 2015–2019 period. He further noted that only 367 houses had been handed over to the public out of the 2,562 planned under the project called ‘Semata Sewana.’ He also stated that 25,543 beneficiaries had been granted loan facilities, while 26,833 individuals had received aid to purchase houses. In addition, he said that Rs. 523.6 million had been spent on propaganda. Investigations are currently being conducted by the National Housing Development Authority and the National Audit Office.

The current Government came to power promising to crack down on corruption and clean up State institutions, a message that was welcomed by voters during the last Presidential,Parliamentary General, and Local Government Elections. Since then, there has been a focus on investigating irregularities and the misuse of public funds, especially in key sectors like health, urban development, construction, and housing.

In recent months, several politicians including a number of ministers of previous governments and government officials have been arrested or are under investigation for various charges related to financial misconduct and the abuse of power.