The Hon. Ravindra Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the Opposition should be ashamed of this motion. It cites “12.32 million tonnes” for 2025–2026; maximum requirement is about 2.25 million tonnes, and we procure ~1.5 million—so the opening claim is false.

¶ 02 Hon. Harsha de Silva quotes the audit, but section 7.2 says to relax criteria suitably to maximize competition while safeguarding capacity, experience, and quality. In prior procurements there were five cargoes with GCV below 5,900 (even ~5,400). Were penalties collected? They now claim all such were rejected—reading from some slip of paper someone handed them.

¶ 03 This tender had unprecedented participation—11 registered, 10 bids. In 2022–2023, a globally reputed Singaporean firm won; on award day another bid “lower” was entertained, against TEC and Tender Board advice, and Cabinet gave it to that firm via subcommittees. That is corruption. Now they preach to us.

¶ 04 On historic damages: 2014–2015 saw Rs. 12,500 million due as penalties—were they recovered? In 2011, Rs. 3,500 million. From 2011–2014, Norochcholai was down for 136 days. Before 2019 only Load Port testing was done and paid 100 per cent on that; only recently has proper split testing been enforced. Now, when we conduct clean procurement, they struggle to accept it and sling mud about “mother-in-law’s accounts,” without evidence.

¶ 05 In 2016, seven vessels were rejected and penalties levied using a dubious equation—dividing by 0.1 (multiplying by 10)—but then they “divided by 1,” reducing penalties tenfold. That is their “mathematics.” We, meanwhile, pursue anti-corruption seriously; no corrupt person is appointed as Minister.

¶ 06 They also malign dignitaries and resort to abusive culture in the Chamber. I urge better conduct. Some wave the Standing Orders book but misuse points of order. From today, their past corrupt dealings will be a snare for them; they must explain how to recover millions of dollars and rupees lost under their watch.