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Aviation Ministry re-calls tenders for 2 BIA duty free shops, after cancelling earlier tender
The Transport and Aviation Ministry has re-called for tenders to operate two duty free shops at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after cancelling a tender already called for.
The move has drawn strong protests from a company that was hitherto operating the duty free shop since 1977, saying they were one of the top two successful bidders.
The Airport and Aviation Services Ltd last week informed the company that it should cease all operations and vacate the premises by March 14.
However, on March 1 the company had received a letter from the Presidential Secretariat appeal board saying the decision for the tender was pending.
Two days later they were informed that another company had been offered two shopping areas – one of them in the arrival lounge and the other in the departure lounge, while the bids for two more shops had been cancelled.
Transport and Aviation Ministry secretary Nihal Somaweera said the tender was cancelled as the financial capacity of the company was not sufficient.
However, a company spokesman said the company was part of an international travel retailer with operations in 63 countries and annually they pay taxes to the government amounting to over Rs 400 million.
The spokesman said that some 300 employees will be bereft of employment by next week.