• Treasury confirms tender for utility vehicles complete, awaiting Cabinet approval

The Government’s position on the proposed importation of 1,775 double cabs and utility vehicles remains unclear, with Opposition legislators alleging deliberate silence and Treasury officials confirming that at least part of the procurement process is awaiting Cabinet approval. 

Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake said the administration had not publicly clarified the current status of the vehicle importation, despite earlier debate surrounding the allocation and necessity of the purchase.

“They are absolutely muted on that. I asked that question and they did not give an answer,” he said, referring to inquiries made regarding the progress of the procurement. 

Karunanayake suggested that the lack of communication was intentional and linked to prevailing economic conditions. 

“I think they are trying to go under the radar in this period, which has been rather tough. They are trying to stay unnoticed and then emerge from it once the vehicles have arrived. They have already made allocations for it in the Budget,” he said. 

When contacted for clarification on the administration’s position and whether there had been delays in execution, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando declined to comment on the specifics of the tender process. 

“Please follow the official announcements by the Ministry of Finance with regard to tender-related matters,” he said. 

According to tender documentation previously published by the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, the procurement was initiated under a National Competitive Bidding process identified as MOF/NCB/23/76/2025. The tender called for the supply of brand new four-wheel drive automatic transmission diesel double cabs, as part of a total procurement of 1,775 double cabs and utility vehicles. 

The eligibility criteria outlined in the tender documents required prospective bidders to demonstrate an average annual turnover of not less than Rs. 10 billion between 2017 and 2019. In addition, bidders were required to maintain a minimum of 10 service and repair centres islandwide, with at least five located outside the Western Province. 

Treasury Deputy Secretary Ananda Kithsiri Seneviratne confirmed that the tender process for the utility vehicles had concluded at the technical level, but implementation had not proceeded due to the absence of Cabinet approval. 

“It is not over yet. Regarding the delays, I do not know. It is a matter directly under the purview of the Secretary to the Treasury. The utility vehicle tender process is complete, but the Cabinet decision has not been received yet. For the double cab tender, I do not know what the Government is planning,” he said. 

Seneviratne also clarified the scope of the budgetary allocation connected to the procurement, maintaining consistency with the overall figure. 

“No, the Budget is not allocated for anything beyond the 1,775 double cabs and utility vehicles,” he said. 

Karunanayake argued that the delay, combined with limited public communication, reflected political caution rather than cancellation.

“It is not a time for them to be ostentatious because there are other cuts taking place on essential needs. They probably felt that opening this up would create a lot of other problems. However, I do not think any of those concerns matter to them,” he said. 

At present, the technical component of the tender process for the utility vehicles has been completed, but final implementation remains contingent on Cabinet approval. No formal announcement has been made confirming whether the full procurement of 1,775 double cabs and utility vehicles will proceed, be revised, or be withdrawn.