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Opening of Sri Lanka's Tallest Tower Marred by Corruption Allegation

Reuters

   COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - The grand opening of Sri Lanka's tallest tower was
   mired in controversy on Monday when President Maithripala Sirisena said
   one of the Chinese firms contracted to work on the project had
   disappeared with $11 million of state funds.

   Sirisena made the allegation at the launch ceremony of the
   China-financed Lotus Tower, a 356.3-meter (1,169-ft) construction in
   the shape of a lotus bud featuring a revolving restaurant, conference
   hall and observation area.

   The Chinese embassy in Colombo did not respond to requests for comment.

   The tower, overlooking Beira Lake in central Colombo, is expected to
   become a major tourism attraction.

   Sirisena said that in 2012, under his predecessor former President
   Mahinda Rajapaksa, the state-run Telecommunication Regulatory
   Commission (TRC) had deposited 2 billion rupees ($11.09 million) with
   Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd. (ALIT), a Chinese
   firm chosen as one of the main contractors.

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