News
Human-elephant conflict: GI pipes from China for 1500km fence; procurement procedures waived
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to seek the help of the Chinese embassy to buy galvanised iron (GI) pipes to put up a 1,500km-long fence to prevent the entry of elephants into villages.
The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation has submitted a cabinet paper to deviate from procurement procedure and buy the GI pipes from a Chinese Company which has quoted Rs 266.5 million for the supply.
The ministry in its cabinet paper has proposed that the GI pipes were urgently required and attempts to buy the pipes locally was more costly as the Ceylon Steel Corporation had quoted Rs 403 million, but later declined to proceed with the supplies citing increase in world market prices.
Therefore, the ministry deviating from procurement procedures had obtained prices from China and recommended a Chinese company.
However, the Cabinet paper has also sought and obtained approval for a tax-free payment.
Wimalaweera Dissanayake, State Minister of Wildlife Protection, Adoption of Safety Measures including the Construction of Electrical Fences and Trenches, told the Sunday Times the President had given approval for the urgent purchases of the GI pipes.
He said the project would come as a priority basis as there were protests from several villages in view of the escalating human-elephant conflicts.
Under the proposed project, the 1,500km of fencing is due to be put up during this year.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry is expected to coordinate with the Chinese embassy on the GI pipe purchases.