Most buildings in Colombo and suburbs, rented by the Army to house its offices, are without even the basic facilities, but more is being paid for them than the government estimate figures.

A monthly rent of Rs. nine million has to be paid since August for the use of ‘Bhutani’ building at Polhengoda, where the Army’s humanitarian and human rights law directorate and several other units are located.

Until July all these offices were located at the nine-storey Airtel building, but ‘Bhutani’ building was chosen, after its owner raised the monthly fee from Rs. 3.2 million to Rs. 3.5 million.

Of the 16-storey ‘Bhutani’ building, seven floors are being used to park vehicles, while only four of the remaining nine floors could be used as office space.

However, air-conditioners are yet to be installed, and only three standing fans are available at present.

Of the three lifts, only one is in working condition, while taps in the lavatories supply the drinking water.

As six-month key money, Rs. 54 million has been deposited, with agreement that all facilities would be completed before the Army began to occupy the building, which is yet to be done.

Also, the Army has rented the old Dialog building at Bambalapitiya and Dasa building at Dalugama, Kelaniya by paying higher rents.

Meanwhile, the Army has not yet been able to find a building to locate its destroyed camp at Salawa in Kosgama.

Its offices are located at makeshift buildings made of tin.