Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe dismissed opposition claims that the same rice tender was rejected four times, labeling them as baseless.
Speaking in Parliament, the minister clarified the situation regarding tenders for the import of Sathosa rice. According to him, the allegations stem from a misunderstanding of the tender process.
“The first tender for 5,200 tons of rice was conducted according to the state tender procedure,” he explained. “Two suppliers submitted bids, offering 3,750 tons and 1,500 tons, respectively. However, neither could meet the required quantities under the tender guidelines. Despite this, the tender was not rejected outright.”
The minister further elaborated that no suppliers responded to the second tender, making it void by default. Meanwhile, the third tender faced rejection due to quality concerns.
“The process does not involve rejecting the same tender repeatedly, but rather addressing separate issues with each round of bidding. These include non-compliance with supply requirements and quality standards,” Samarasinghe emphasized.
The clarification comes amid heightened political scrutiny and public interest in ensuring transparency in the country’s food procurement processes.
