Sri Lanka once known as the Granary of the East is yet again betraying its farmers with the latest allegations of irregularities tainting the Yahapalana government’s Rs 10 billion urea fertilizer deal, with the initial Rs 3.5 billion tender being pressurized to be awarded to a errant bidder, by the highest echelons of the so-called Yahapalana Administration.
Duminda Dissanayake
Famous English sea captain in the service of the British East India Company – Robert Knox is attributed the axiom that the “farmer is fit enough to be king (Raja) once you wash off his mud”, but the very minister from heartland of paddy – Rajarata, is said to be at the heart of these irregularities in connivance with his close buddy at the helm of the Ceylon Fertilizer Company, sources at the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed.
Colombo Telegraph has in its possession a letter issued by no less than Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, B. Wijeyaratne imploring the Chairman of Ceylon Fertilizer Corporation- Ruchith Roshana Waduge (a close confidante of Agriculture Minister and SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake) to terminate this tainted deal by letter dated 24 November, 2017.
However sources at the Ministry informed Colombo Telegraph that instead of the initial bidder- JAT Agro (Pvt) Ltd, a bogus company- Masters (Pvt) Ltd, of which the son of the MD of the initial company is a Director; is to be awarded the latest tender, most likely day after tomorrow (8 December 2017).
In addition Hasanjith Kuruppuarachchi, who is said to be a close friend CCF Chairman Ruchith Roshana Waduge, is a Director of both companies in question, establishing the nexus in this fraudulent collusion.
As stated in the letter, due to grave irregularities in the tender for the first consignment of urea amounting to over Rs 3.5 billion (out of the total Rs 10 billion fertilizer to be supplied to Sri Lanka), the first tender was terminated on 28 November, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Although the pre-qualification criteria required the bidder to have a minimum of 2 years prior experience in the fertilizer business, surprisingly, JAT Agro, a company without any experience in the business, was pre-qualified bidder selected.
Furthermore Ministry sources said that although specifications stipulated for the Urea consignment required was ‘B1’ the consignment ordered did not meet the criteria and as such was unsuitable for the purpose. In addition it is learned that the Agriculture Ministry had probed into the analysis certificate submitted by JAT Holdings and found out it to be fake.
“Further surprising is the fact that the supplier – Mepet of UAE, had never ever supplied fertilizer to Sri Lanka,” a source at the Ministry of Agriculture said.
“In addition although the purchase order stipulates that South Africa is the country of the origin for the consignment, now both the bidder and supplier want this changed to China, which is a clear breach of tender specifications,” a source said.
Due to all these irregularities, the first tender in question was terminated last November 28 and the Ministry called for fresh tenders the right next day, which was scheduled to close on December 5. (The first tender was closed on or around November 08 and the tender was awarded to JAT Agro on November 20)
Ruchith Roshana Waduge
“However it is very surprising as to why such a vital tender (i.e. first calling of tender) bringing fertilizer for the whole country, was open only for seven days going against internationally recognized tender practices and more confusing as to why even the second tender too is only open for seven days.”
Sources say that the price quoted is USD 328 per metric tonne for 78,000 metric tonnes; and that persons involved in this deal are allegedly getting close to Rs 200 million.
Furthermore, although the Ministry requires the full stock to be handed over to the CCF by December 20, unless the consignments have already been shipped, there is absolutely no chance of the bidder meeting the deadline, sources added.
“So a vital question arises as to whether the ships carrying fertilizer already left for Sri Lanka even before December 5- the date of award of the tender and whether Masters (Pvt) Ltd belonging to the son of the owner of the initially rejected company will get the deal!” another source at the Ministry of Agriculture said.
Sources also confirmed that the Minister in question had threatened Agriculture Ministry Secretary B Wijeyarathne, who had vehemently opposed the move saying that if this tainted tender goes through, all officials involved would end up at the FCID; that he would even sack his Secretary and go ahead with the tender.
Colombo Telegraph also learns that several trade union activists will report the matter to President Maithripala Sirisena within the next few days.
“In fact since this issue would adversely affect paddy cultivation just as the bond scam boomeranged on the UNP, and may even bring the whole government down!” a source said.
Colombo Telegraph has been unable to reach Minister Duminda Dissanayake for comment.
Amarasiri / December 7, 2017
Duminda Dissanayaka,
Why, is time is running out to steal and get commissions?
Sirisena is getting an unneeded ship, but fertilizer is needed, so the damage is much less.
What will Siriena, the Gamarala, say?
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Amarasiri / December 8, 2017
Duminda Dissanayaka,
Now JVP wants Sirisena, Gamarala, to step down.
Hurry, hurry, hurry, and make hay (commissions) while the Sun (Sirisena) shines.
Remember, even the Sun sets.Ask Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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shankar / December 7, 2017
why is the CID not called in.Even if gamarala tells to cancel it some rogues have tried to defraud the state of 200 million rupees.So an offence has already been committed buy them and they should be arrested.The minister should resign and if the CID finds he is involved and probably the mastermind then he should be arrested too.Former presidents secretary being arrested was a good thing for the country because now the public officials are playing safe and sending letters to cover themselves from future court proceedings.However not a single minister has been arrested in srilanka while still in office.When the opposition comes to power and arrests them they will cry out that it is a political witchhunt and the damage alreaady done is in billions of rupees.
Now the arrest of this minister is very important because unless that is done the message is not going to go out to the scumbag ‘honourable’ ministers that their looting days are over.Over to you gamarala,because this arrest or not that you decide will also decide your fate at the local government elections.If duminda is arrested your SLFP will come third beating the JVP.If he is not arrested then you will come a humiliating fourth and only you a back boneless leader who is fit for a no 2 position,not no 1,has to blame for the ignominious defeat of the SLFP.
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Old Administrator / December 7, 2017
The corrupt Rajapaksa gang ruined what ever that was left in the Administration Service in regard to its independence.Every dam post was politicized with cronies appointed to disregard Administration Regulations and Financial Regulations.No senior appointment was possible without the nod of the all powerful corrupt and arrogant duo Lalith Weeratunga or P B Jayasundera
The current government has by and large attempted to give government servants the required independence so that state assets and resources are protected.However the political set up remains unrehabilitated leaving room for corruption such as this clear case..
For corruption to be reduced let alone eliminated it will take a sustained effort over at least 10 years and this will involve the cleanup of both the political and administrative levels.The role played by the media as watchdogs will certainly help the process.What has happened to the case of Lalith Weeratunge?After a high profile conviction he appealed against the judgment and that was that!He now quietly enjoys life at home with mistress Ms Sugathadasa.Readers can fathom for themselves the depth of the problem.The media too seems to have forgotten the whole issue.
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Jehan / December 8, 2017
Are you living in mars? This is the government that gives jobs by the height of the applicant. Everything from the state engineering corporation to housing authority is running at a higher loss after yahapalana croocks came to power.
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Good Sense / December 7, 2017
In this instance, the minister can threaten the sacking of a secretary because the minister has the ear of the President. If it were a UNP minister and the Secretary being a part of the “presidential bureaucratic club” then a threat is of no use. So much for “Yahapalanaya” a sacred tenet now reduced to political brand name. What de-politicization? Above all where is this independent procurement commission? Is it sleeping? Zzz…zzzz….zzzz.? The whole thing is a farce, where a party comes to power to clean up but only to become a rogue, thus we have chosen the better among the rogues, throwing sand on our eyes. Any one with an iota of intelligence knows that this cannot go on like this and the result would be another disaster to the country. Pity!
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Champa / December 7, 2017
Disgusting. There is of no use of preaching about corruption or expect politicians to not engage in corruption. Duminda has already proved his involvement in corruption in renting a building for Agricultural Ministry wasting millions of rupees. Public officials intimidated and harassed by corrupt Ministers are becoming common. Everyone including myself expect President to intervene and stop corruption in the government. Anyways, I have no idea how he could handle corruption all alone among thousands of other problems. Yet, he is the only person with power to at least protect government officials from receiving the wrath of corrupt Ministers for not approving corrupt deals.
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Patriot / December 7, 2017
Well said
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Champa / December 7, 2017
TIP for all rogues, looters and corrupt who would like to become an MP. THIS IS THE LAW:
Contest for Parliamentary Elections, get elected and make sure not to declare your assets and liabilities for 5 years while robbing as much as possible and earning money by way tenders, bribes, commissions, gifts, etc. The fine is only Rs. 1,000 a year for not declaring assets. So why bother to declare your assets and go to jail? Pay Rs. 5000 at the end of the term of an MP and go home as a billionaire.
This is looters’ paradise.
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nosey parker / December 7, 2017
This guy with absolutely no conscience, has tremendous clout . Who else could get away with paying several millions a month in rent for an unoccupied building , allegedly owned by his very close friend ? It’s all in the genes mate.
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K.Anaga / December 7, 2017
The Subjects follow the king and you cannot expect anything better..
In Tamil it is Said”‘Arasan Evvali- Kudikal avvali”
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Dr U.Pethiyagoda. / December 7, 2017
JUST DRIVE PAST THE MINISTER’S HOUSE AND YOU WILL SEE A WATER TANK BOLDLY MARKED “UNICEF” SITTING ON HIS ROOF TOP. THIS IS NOT MERELY ROBBING CHILDREN OF AID BUT IN SERIOUS BREACH OF U.N PROTOCOL. WHAT IS 202 BAUDDHALOKA MAWATHA DOING?
“caliban”
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max / December 7, 2017
So much so for the “yahapalanaya”! Doesn’t matter. We chased MR! Bdw, I read somewhere else MR did take little over 1000 days to eliminate ruthless LTTE and usher a better era for the country. Yahapas are ruling the country now almost same no. of days and what they have brought to the country is nothing. How true! Whoever wrote that must have forgotten Sabheetha scam, CB scam etc., etc., + various steps taken to appease LTTE rump.
Yahapalanaya = grilling those who’ve done immense service to the country in terms of crushing barbaric LTTE and releasing terrorists and fomenting their political farthers in TNA.
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Native Vedda / December 7, 2017
max moron
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” I read somewhere else MR did take little over 1000 days to eliminate ruthless LTTE and usher a better era for the country. “
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If that story makes you happy and make you feel fresh vigour why don’t you organise fresh riots against the people?
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You should also urge the Malawattu monks to add the story to the first chapter of Mahawamsa.
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max / December 7, 2017
Racist NV, do you think your question to me has a value?
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Native Vedda / December 8, 2017
max the mega moron
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“Racist NV, do you think your question to me has a value?”
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Show me one instant where I have instigated racism, organised riots against a people, supported fascists, defended saffron clad thugs, ………….. behaved in a manner that can be interpreted racism, opposed democratisation, ………………… ?
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If I call you a moron in fact it is a well earned accolade by you.
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max / December 8, 2017
NV, have you ever heard the Sinhala saying, “soodu pole nikang hitiyath ekai – soodu keliyath ekai”? Or play gambling and watching gambling has no difference in terms of law? Likewise you may personally be a non racists etc., but you talk on behalf of Tamil racism. You sided with almost all the top Tamil racists now and then. You are a shit carrier of Tamil racism – THE PROBLEM – of Sri Lanka. The obvious result is you earn the tag. So it is “well earned accolade by you”!
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Chedi / December 7, 2017
It is also very important for all of us to understand that all of this questionable fertilizer will finally end up in the stomachs of all of us..
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Mallaiyuran / December 7, 2017
It is unlikely any of these pickup fire. Central was set fire by Chandra, Nagananda, Lasisi like Sinhala Intellectual, Smart Patriotic sons of the Mother( bitch?) the SinhaLE- the Wildlife Sanctuary Lankawe.
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Renu / December 7, 2017
Jat holding was with the last regime and got favors done now trying the same with this Government too
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Dalit / December 7, 2017
They will change it from China to India and Urea to Ammonium Sulphate?
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K.Pillai / December 7, 2017
The corrupt structure built over a decade is robust and will brave the weather.
Here a brick is exposed which is easily plastered over.
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Jim softy / December 7, 2017
I think, he is also contesting from his new three wheeler party. Because, his position is not strong enough for a minister to be rich. So, he has money got from the first scam leasing a building from a actress and not occupying it while paying electricity bill of hundreds of millions and the lease. this will give him some more dough to contest from the three wheeler party.
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Native Vedda / December 8, 2017
K.Pillai
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“The corrupt structure built over a decade is robust and will brave the weather.”
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The ideology was provided by the public racist Anagarika Homeless Dharmapala at turn of 20th century. Since 1948 the corrupt system has been built brick by brick. Perhaps Dr Mahinda (LLD) and his clan were the largest beneficiaries.
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Nish / December 8, 2017
You don’t have to go back centuries. With Rajapakshe we at-least had enough rice to feed the country. Now we are importing Rice from Bangladesh and Coconut from China. But hey a Royalist from kollupitiya is running the country so we better suck it up like true slaves.
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K.Anaga / December 8, 2017
It appears that the fertilizer has been sent to fertilize some body’s brain to avoid being caught.
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K.Anaga / December 8, 2017
It appears that the fertilizer has been sent to fertilize some body’s brain to avoid being caught
(Not Duplicated please) .
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aruna / December 9, 2017
TtHIS IS NOT THE FIRST OR THE LAST. TENDER OR PROCUREMENT. CHECK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RECENT BANDARANAYAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT- JET (AVIATION)FUEL SYSTEM TENDER.THE SELECTED MOST QUALIFIED TENDERER WAS THORN OUT BY A BOGUS CABINET PAPER SUBMITTED BY THE RESPECTIVE MINISTER
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Gune / December 9, 2017
Duminda Dissanayake are all from the Rajapakse era who are further tainting the already tainted yahapalanya gov.
Corruption is a cancer and politicians cause the malignancy..
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Govi Raja / December 10, 2017
Like father like son. [Edited out]
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Jim softy / December 13, 2017
I heard Mahinda Rajapakse brought a bill to limit the fine of Rs 1000 for not declaring assets. Because, he had thought if the fine is more, his extended family would lose lot of money.
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