News
Opposition urges govt. to scrap controversial tender for 1,775 pickup trucks
The Opposition has lashed out at the NPP government for what it describes as a shady deal to procure 1,775 double cab pickups by manipulating the tender process.Opening the second-reading debate on Budget 2026 in Parliament on Saturday, SJB MP and economist Dr. Harsha de Silva called for the immediate cancellation of the tender for the pickup trucks, describing it as a “double-cab scam” designed to circumvent the national procurement process and enrich a certain company. He said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance, had sought to silence the Opposition by offering to allocate the pickup trucks to the MPs.
Dr. de Silva said the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development had invited sealed bids for the purchase of 1,775 brand-new four-wheel-drive, automatic diesel double cabs under Bid Number MOF/NCB/23/76/2025. “While the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) process typically allows a 42-day window, this tender was compressed into just 12 days, prompting concerns that only one or two companies could meet the strict eligibility criteria.”
Dr. de Silva highlighted that bidders were required to prove that they had at least 10 years of experience in supplying and maintaining such vehicles, and delivered a minimum of 1,000 similar vehicles over the past decade, and maintained 10 service and repair centres countrywide, with an average annual turnover of Rs. 10 billion for 2017–2019. Additional requirements included tax compliance, registration under the Public Contracts Act, proof of access to a Letter of Credit facility, a non-collusion affidavit, and a security deposit of Rs. 50 million.
President Dissanayake defended the controversial tender in Parliament on Friday (7), saying the government’s current fleet was inadequate and obsolete, leading to high maintenance costs. He added that the vehicles to be provided to MPs would be returned after their term and insisted the procurement was necessary for government operations.
Opposition MPs, however, questioned the transparency of the process, noting the high financial thresholds stipulated by the government and stringent eligibility rules could effectively restrict competition.
NDF MP Ravi Karunanayake, addressing the media last week, alleged that the tender had been a repackaged version of a previously shelved plan to import 2,000 double cabs. He criticized the government for not exploring electric vehicle alternatives to reduce fuel costs.
The tender, potentially exceeding Rs. 50 billion, continues to spark debate over accountability, transparency, and the prioritisation of public funds.
Responding to Dr. de Silva’s criticism, on Saturday, Chief Government Whip and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament that the MPs were free to turn down the offer of vehicles.
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
News
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.
By Norman Palihawadane
The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.
The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.
The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.
The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.
The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.
Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.
Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.
The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.
The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.
The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.
During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.
The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.
Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.
Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.
The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.
Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.
Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.
The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Uva and Eastern provinces.
Harshitha’s composed knock seals Sri Lanka’s semi-final berth
‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban
Dengue death toll rises to 73
Ranil accuses govt. of undermining democracy
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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