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Market tender mired in controversy; Kurunegala MC vote ends in tie
View(s):Controversy shrouds a proposed tender for the construction of a mega market complex that will replace the old market in Kurunegala town.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna councillors allege that Kurunegala Municipal Council Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana, also from the SLPP, wanted to award the contract to a company that bid Rs. 280 million higher than the estimate worked out by the council’s chief engineer.
They say the chief engineer has estimated that the project would cost Rs 687 million but the company, which the mayor favours, has quoted Rs 969 million as its estimate.
Pointing out that only two companies had responded to the tender for the council’s largest ever project, the SLPP members charge that obstacles were placed to exclude other companies from the bidding process.
It is learnt that the technical evaluation committee has decided to review the tender as the funds allocated for the project was much less than what the bidders had quoted. To ensure that the council does not suffer losses, the committee has suggested that the lower bidder should agree to the amount estimated by the council.
The SLPP councillors said the mayor, after rejecting the committee’s recommendations, summoned a council meeting and called for a vote to award the contract to the company that quoted Rs 969 million for the project.
The vote ended in a tie with 10 members each voting for and against. Three ruling party SLPP members and one UNP member voted against the motion.
The SLPP members have pointed out that the award of the contract under these circumstances will go against the new government’s policy.
However, Mayor Vitharana told the Sunday Times that due to objections, he had decided to refer the matter to the Chief Provincial Engineer.