E-passport tender process cancelled with immediate effect after bidder appeals, Ajith Perera says, citing a Cabinet order sent on May 29.
The e-passport tender issued during the Ranil era has been cancelled with immediate effect, according to former Minister and current Member of Parliament Ajith Perera, who said the government has decided to terminate the controversial procurement process.
Perera stated that Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Chaminda Pathiraja had informed the relevant bidders of the decision by email on May 29, 2026.
The letter reportedly informed bidders: “We hereby officially inform that the Cabinet has ordered the cancellation of the procurement process of the above-mentioned project with immediate effect.”
The cancelled contract was titled “Issuance System and Relevant Public Key Infrastructure Components for Personalization of E-Passports for the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka.” It was issued under tender number DIE/PRO/PKI/2025, with bids for the procurement called last year.
However, the tender process was later placed under review after four unsuccessful bidders filed appeals before the Procurement Appeals Board (PAB) on January 2, 2026. Those appeals were heard on January 6, 2026, and recommendations arising from the review were subsequently brought to the attention of the relevant authorities.
In the letter dated May 29, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration also expressed appreciation to the bidders, stating: “On behalf of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, we express our sincere appreciation for the time, effort and resources your organization has expended in preparing and submitting your bid. We greatly appreciate your interest in partnering with our Department and contributing to this public procurement process.”
