• 1,775 diesel double cabs to be procured
• MPs to get vehicles on return basis
• Call for investigation into double-cab deal

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Budget proposal of Rs. 12,500 million for vehicles and machinery for Government institutions has sparked a parliamentary firestorm, with allegations that the rushed tender to procure 1,775 automatic diesel double cabs circumvents procurement norms and enriches a select few companies.

The controversy erupted yesterday (8) during the opening of the Budget debate when Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament (MP) and Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva accused the President of attempting to justify a recent “controversial” Government tender. 

De Silva said that the Government was dragging MPs, both ruling and Opposition, into what he called the “double-cab scam,” raising concerns over violations of national procurement guidelines.

President Dissanayake, speaking on Friday (7) in Parliament, argued that the Government’s current fleet was inadequate and largely obsolete, leading to high repair and maintenance costs that hampered development activities. 

He said the proposed purchase of vehicles and machinery was essential for Government institutions, and that vehicles for MPs would be provided on a return basis after their term ended.

However, Dr. de Silva raised red flags over the process itself. 

The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development had invited sealed bids for the procurement of 1,775 brand-new four-wheel-drive, automatic transmission diesel double cabs, in what is set to be one of the largest vehicle purchases by a Government ministry in recent years. 

The procurement, issued under Bid Number MOF/NCB/23/76/2025, had been conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedure, with bids ending on 4 November.

The 42-day window required for NCB had been compressed into 12 days, and only one or two companies had met the tender’s stringent eligibility criteria. 

As per the bid document published on 23 October, the tender came with stringent eligibility requirements that could significantly limit participation.

Bidders had to demonstrate at least 10 years of experience supplying and maintaining the specified vehicles, have delivered at least 1,000 similar vehicles in the past decade, maintain 10 service and repair centres across the country (including five outside the Western Province), and show an average annual turnover of at least Rs. 10 billion for 2017-2019. 

They had to also provide tax compliance verification from the Inland Revenue Department, registration under the Public Contracts Act, and proof of access to a Letter of Credit facility, along with a non-collusion affidavit to prevent bid-rigging or cartel practices. 

Bids had to also include a security deposit of Rs. 50 million, either in cash or via bank guarantee, valid until 26 May 2026. 

Interested parties were able to purchase the bidding documents for Rs. 500,000 in cash and inspect them at the ministry’s Accounts Division from 23 October to 3 November. 

Given the scale and value of the purchase – potentially exceeding Rs. 50 billion – the procurement had attracted attention from industry observers, particularly regarding the strict eligibility criteria and high financial thresholds, which could restrict competition and raise questions about transparency and accountability in the awarding process.

Meanwhile, Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake has alleged that the tender is essentially a repackaged version of a previously shelved plan to import 2,000 double cabs for MPs. He warned that the tender requirements, including a minimum 2,500 cc engine and nationwide service operations, made it likely that only one company could qualify, and questioned why the Government did not consider electric vehicles to save on fuel costs.

When The Sunday Morning reached out to Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, he said his ministry had no involvement in the procurement process and confirmed that it was being handled by the Ministry of Finance.

Treasury Deputy Secretary Ajith Abeysekera stated that the decision followed lengthy discussions with officials and the President, but stressed that the matter was being managed by the Department of Fiscal Policy. 

Efforts to contact Director General of Fiscal Policy Dr. M.K.C. Senanayake were unsuccessful.

Under President Dissanayake, the Government has implemented a long-term policy to end the issuance of vehicle permits and official vehicles for MPs. 

Initially announced in the 2025 Budget, the directive emphasised that MPs would not receive new vehicles or permits for that year as part of broader cost-saving and governance reforms. 

Instead of acquiring new vehicles, the Government planned to repurpose existing official vehicles, with 107 vehicles already returned and allocated for essential services.