SECSL retains major civil contract from Qatar

Colombo: The State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka (SECSL) will open up 1,600 jobs for Sri Lankans in Doha, Qatar with the signing of an agreement for the construction of a deluxe housing construction project, Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

The tender agreement for the project was officially signed in the presence of Minister Senaratne and Sri Lanka Ambassador for Doha Qatar, S.B. Atugoda.

The total contract is estimated to cost Rs.13 billion and this is the first ever international tender won by SECSL in its history.

The project includes the construction of separate three and four bed-roomed residential apartments with all other facilities such as a swimming pool, sport complex and access roads.

Senaratne said all tender documents related to the project have been finalised and the work force for the project will mobilised locally.

“As Qatar totally depends on imported building raw materialsfor their own building constructions, we hope to utilise Sri Lankan products for the entire project,” he added. The Minister also said special priority will be given to the present surplus cadre of the SECSL for the selection.

He said the contract should be completed within two years, but it has been decided to complete it six months in advance and the profit shared as an incentive among workers who achieved the target.

Cabinet approval for the project has also been granted and the respective performances bond was submitted by the Bank of Ceylon.

Explaining the present financial situation of the SECSL, Senaratne appreciated the activities of the management towards a self-dependency status without being a burden to the treasury.”

The monthly salary in keeping with the new salary revision has been updated to meet the financial situation of the Corporation,” Minister said.