Former MP Charitha Herath has raised serious concerns over a large-scale government tender to purchase 1,775 brand-new automatic transmission four-wheel-drive diesel double cabs, valued at several billion rupees.
The tender, issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Bid No: MOF/NCB/23/76/2025), was published on the Treasury website on October 23, with just a 12-day window for bid submissions ending on November 4.
Herath questioned the urgency, secrecy, and purpose of the procurement, asking, “What public purpose or policy justification does this serve? Who will use these vehicles, and under what criteria?”
The bid document shows stringent eligibility criteria, including proof of supplying at least 1,000 similar vehicles in the past decade, a minimum of 10 service centers across the country, and a bid security of Rs. 50 million. (Newswire)
