Kandy MC wastes millions of rupees on water pump: CSO alleges

A massive alleged fraud has been unearthed by the Organisation for the Protection of Public Property in the purchase of a water pump for the Kandy Municipal Council Water Department costing into million rupees.

- By L.B. Senaratne

According to the Secretary of the Organisation, Anura Gonawela who had been a member of the Council multiple times, says that the water pump for which a tender has been accepted and approved by the Council is manufactured in Vietnam, though the bid has been approved for 113 million rupees to a Chinese company.

At the commencement of the tender, there were three applications - one by a reputable company which has been in this country for over decades and their tender was for 39 million rupees for the same specified capacity water pump. This tender, it is alleged that was not processed at the normal Tender Board, as it was alleged to have not been signed and stamped by the company.

But it is alleged that another tender for 113 million for the same type and capacity was placed before the tender Board and was accepted for 113 million rupees as the winning tender.