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 