Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today raised serious concerns in Parliament over the transparency and efficiency of Sri Lanka’s fuel procurement process, calling on the government to clarify irregularities linked to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

Speaking under Standing Order 27(2), Premadasa questioned the registration of new suppliers during the past 12 months, details of those suppliers, and whether any had been excluded from distribution. He demanded disclosure of the action taken against suppliers who failed to meet obligations.

Premadasa also sought a breakdown of emergency procurements and long‑term contracts awarded by the CPC over the past year, along with the technical and commercial evaluation criteria used. He urged the government to compare these standards with international practices.

Highlighting reports of losses to the country, Premadasa pressed for a comparative report on prices between long‑term contracts and emergency purchases. He further asked for details on the three most expensive procurements, the number of bids received, and the suppliers awarded tenders.

Premadasa noted that the use of Murban crude oil instead of Iranian Light crude at the Sapugaskanda refinery had affected production percentages, costs, and final prices. He demanded clarification on whether differences existed between recommendations of technical evaluation committees and cabinet‑level procurement committees.

He also pointed to a recent case where a supplier awarded a term tender failed to execute it, and the procurement was instead carried out through a spot tender at a higher price, again awarded to the same party. 

Premadasa said this required urgent explanation, stressing that the government must clarify why fuel purchases have been disadvantageous to the country. (Newswire)

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