“IMF cannot turn a blind eye to this”
Former MP and ex-Chairman of COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises) Charitha Herath has said the NPP government owes an explanation regarding what he calls an utterly controversial move to import 1,775 brand-new four-wheel-drive automatic transmission diesel double cabs through the national competitive bidding procedure.
Herath said that the government should reveal who would be the beneficiaries and why the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry restricted the period available for bidders to just 12 days (23 Oct. to 03 Nov.). There had never been a previous instance of any government floating such a huge tender for vehicle purchases.
Responding to The Island queries, Herath said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) couldn’t turn a blind eye to this deal against the backdrop of intense pressure brought on the country to strengthen anti-corrupt measures as part of its USD 2.9 bn bailout package.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake holds the Finance portfolio whereas the Secretary to the Finance Ministry Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma represented the NPP in Parliament before resigning to succeed Mahinda Siriwardena.
Herath asked whether the MPs, as well as heads of Local Government authorities, would be among the beneficiaries. The possibility of the tender being prepared in such a way as to facilitate a certain bidder couldn’t be ruled out, Herath said, adding that the NPP couldn’t repeat what had been happening here over the past decades. “Of course, this could end up with the CIABOC,” Herath said, warning the government that the issue would be as bad as the continuing controversy over the illegitimate release of 323 containers from the Colombo port in January this year.
The ex-lawmaker said that the government should also explain why it chose to import so many vehicles at a staggering cost to the taxpayer and why the vehicles used during previous governments had been auctioned off in a hurry. Those who represent the Opposition in Parliament should vigorously take up the issue at hand and ensure the government rethink the double-cab tender, he said.
By Shamindra Ferdinando