This is a report by an Investigative Correspondent concerning a controversial tender issued by the Ministry of Finance for the urgent purchase of 1,775 double-cab vehicles at a cost of Rs. 40.8 billion. The report alleges the tender is “wired” or “rigged” due to an impossible 12-day bidding deadline and overly restrictive, tailor-made qualification rules designed to eliminate competition and favor a single, pre-chosen supplier. The process is now being scrutinized for a lack of integrity and transparency, with calls for an immediate halt and full investigation.
- (By an Investigative Correspondent)
The Ministry of Finance has sparked outrage by announcing a massive Rs. 40.8 billion tender for 1,775 double-cab vehicles with an extremely short 12-day deadline. Government spending watchdogs claim the tender is a farce. They say this move shows all the signs of a “fixed” or “rigged” tender, designed to shut out competition and clearly favor a pre-chosen supplier. The tender, published on October 23, 2025, demands all bids be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on November 4, 2025. This window is not possible for most businesses. For a contract this large, bidders would need weeks, not days, to prepare their bids and arrange a massive Rs. 50 million deposit. The short timeline makes this impossible. Making matters worse, the Ministry has confirmed no pre-bid meeting will be held, which is a standard step that allows competitors to question unfair requirements.
The rules to qualify for the bid appear purposely designed to eliminate all but one or two suppliers. Bidders must have an average annual turnover of Rs. 10 billion, but only during the 2017-2019 period. This specific timeframe, set before the vehicle import ban, immediately disqualifies newer companies. Even worse, the tender demands a minimum of ten service centers under the bidder’s direct ownership, explicitly stating, “Franchises or associates are not accepted.” This “owned-only” rule is highly unusual and creates an impossible barrier, ensuring only a single, established automotive giant could possibly qualify.
This “double cab scandal” is not an isolated incident. It follows another controversial deal for luxury buses, where the rules were also criticized for favoring one company and the results were reportedly never made public. This deepens concerns about a culture of secrecy in government purchasing. Driving this speedy and suspicious tender is a top Treasury official who, despite talking tough against corruption, has seen his own past escape serious scrutiny. His job history is now under review. This official, it is noted, was formerly an employee of an investment holding company that has reportedly seen large profits in the last twelve months. Before this, he held a series of low-profile jobs in Australia before being controversially recruited to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by its then-chairman Nalaka Godahewa.
Sources claim this appointment was pushed through despite significant reservations from others involved in the recruitment decision. Godahewa is a controversial figure tied to the former Rajapaksa administration who was himself charged with the alleged misuse of SEC funds.
This history, combined with the secrecy of the Rs. 40 billion tender, raises serious questions about the official’s judgment and the integrity of the process he now leads.
The official reason for the 1,775 vehicles, which is to help with “swift and efficient” development, is being completely overshadowed by the obvious problems with the tender itself. The impossible deadline, restrictive rules, and lack of transparency are all classic signs of a “wired” tender. This process not only breaks the basic rules of government purchasing but also puts public money at serious risk. It strongly suggests the 40.8 billion rupee decision was made long before the tender was ever published. Anti-corruption groups are now calling for the tender to be halted immediately for a full investigation.
@ By an Investigative Correspondent
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