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 ✍️
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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