Facing backlash over alleged underpricing of luxury vehicles formerly owned by the North Central Provincial Council, Governor Wasantha Jinadasa has firmly denied wrongdoing, calling the accusations “baseless and absurd.”
At a press conference held in response to the growing criticism, the Governor clarified that no auction was held—instead, vehicles were sold through an open tender process announced in three newspapers and managed by a government-appointed tender board.
“We got the vehicles officially appraised before calling for tenders,” Jinadasa stated. He specifically addressed controversy surrounding a BMW X5, manufactured in 2016. “This car hadn’t been used by the Provincial Council for the past four years. It was found in a neglected state after the previous administration ended. After failed repair attempts, we were advised to dispose of it via tender.”
The BMW X5, he said, was appraised at Rs. 19.8 million but listed for Rs. 21.8 million in the tender higher than the valuation. Allegations that the vehicle was undervalued or misused are “completely false,” he added.
In total, vehicles assessed at Rs. 91.2 million were sold for Rs. 123.6 million, far above their combined valuations. Furthermore, buyers were not insiders or local affiliates but came from places like Negombo, Badulla, and Waskaduwa.
Calling the accusations politically motivated, Governor Jinadasa emphasized, “This is a fabricated smear campaign. We’re taking legal action against these false claims.”
