September 20, Colombo (LNW): An audit has found that Cyclone Ditwah caused damage estimated at more than Rs. 2.27 billion to 150 national schools and seven National Colleges of Education, highlighting the scale of the impact on the country’s education infrastructure.
The Ministry of Education’s Engineering Division has assessed the overall losses at Rs. 2,274,230,000, according to the audit findings. However, the report has pointed out that the estimated losses had not been reflected in the relevant financial statements.
The Engineering Division is tasked with overseeing infrastructure development at national schools, National Colleges of Education, teacher training colleges and other educational establishments throughout the country.
The audit also examined the progress of development work planned for 2025. A total of Rs. 8.43 billion had been allocated for 41 construction projects during the year.
Despite the substantial allocation, progress remained uneven. Ten of the planned projects had not commenced, while 16 others had achieved less than half of their targeted physical progress by the time of the audit review.
The findings raise questions over both the pace of infrastructure development and the financial recording of disaster-related damage, particularly as educational institutions continue to deal with the consequences of the cyclone.
