Something smelly about CMC tender for disposing garbage? Mayor denies allegations

• “Clean Tech to which the tender has been awarded is a company in which Abans has a 99 % stake”
• Rs.510 mn has been given to a company which had created a monopoly when it comes to disposing garbage-SLPP councillor

By Yohan Perera  

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member Sharmila Gonawala alleged that there were irregularities with regard to the awarding of tender for garbage disposal in two precincts within the Municipality.   

She requested Western Province Governor Asath Sally to take corrective action with regard to a tender awarded by the CMC.  

In a letter addressed to the governor, Ms. Gonawala said there are irregularities with regard to the awarding of tender for garbage disposal in district 2(A) which includes Fort and Pettah, and District 2(B) an area which excludes Fort and Pettah.  

She alleged that the notice calling for the tender was advertised only in an English newspaper though it should be advertised in all national newspapers. Ms Gonawala had said Abans Ltd which has been engaged in disposing garbage in the city has created a monopoly making the CMC vulnerable.   

She alleged that Clean Tech to which the tender has been awarded is a company in which Abans has a 99 percent stake. Abans is a company which had been engaged in disposing garbage in Colombo city for many years. Also she had alleged that the contract value has been escalated.   

“It is my opinion that Clean Tech Pvt. Ltd is practically a fully owned subsidiary of Abans group. The council could have offered the contract for a period of one year and re-floated the tender complying with government tender guidelines to facilitate more bidders instead of supporting the monopoly of one company. This is a very questionable transaction,” she said in the letter.  

At the last sessions of the CMC, Ms. Gonawala said this was an act of terrorism as a sum of Rs.510 million has been given to a company which had created a monopoly when it comes to disposing garbage.  

However, Mayor of Colombo, Rosy Senanayake who commented on the matter said proper procurement procedures have been followed when awarding the tenders.   
“I don’t know why the Council member is complaining about it,” she said.   

The Mayor added that the member could file a case if she thinks that awarding of the tender was illegal.