USD 3.76mn contracts for empty LPG cylinders:

Not a political decision says co-cabinet spokesman

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Co-cabinet spokesperson, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila told post-cabinet media briefing on Thursday (10) at the Information Department that contract for the supply of four types of empty metal cylinder containers to the Litro Gas Lanka had been awarded in keeping with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Finance.

Lawmaker Gammanpila, who is also the leader of Pivuthu Hela Urumaya, said that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa proposed the awarding of the contracts to the cabinet on the recommendation of the Cabinet-appointed Standing Procurement Committee.

 Having explained the decision making process, the lawmaker emphasized that it was not a political decision. The minister said that the English note as regards the awarding of contracts had differed from the Sinhala statement, hence the confusion.

Minister Gammanpila said so when The Island sought an explanation as regards the contradictory nature of notes in Sinhala and English made available to journalists at the commencement of the press conference.

According to a cabinet decision taken on September 9, a contract worth USD 2.18 mn had been awarded to M/S Metal Mate Company Limited for the supply of 22,000 (2.3 kg), 105,056 (12.5 kg) and 1,260 (37.5 kg) whereas Sahamitr Containers Public Company Limited won USD 1.58 mn worth contract for the supply of 117,040 cylinders (5kg).

During the question and answer session, Minister Gammanpila as well as Minister Keheliya Rambukwella explained the circumstances under which the government was seeking to re-schedule foreign debt. The media was told of continuing difficulties experienced due to major economies, too, being affected by the corona pandemic. Minister Gammanpila said that the country was in dire straits for want of sufficient dollars. The minister pointed out that the imports had to be drastically restricted due to the crisis situation. The minister said that the current policy had to be continued until the problem could be settled. If the status of the Rupee deteriorated further the situation would be far worse.