Gen Fonseka’s son-in-law admits his company was awarded arms contracts
Colombo, 07 January, (Asiantribune.com):
Retired General Sarath Fonseka’s son in law has admitted that the Army Tender Board headed by Gen Fonseka has awarded tenders to HiCorp International & British Borneo Defense, of which he is the chairman. Acknowledging his ownership of the company registered in Oklahoma, USA, Danuna Tilakaratne claimed that Gen Fonseka’s decision to remain as the Chairman of the Army Tender Board had “not affected due to my relationship with him or his ownership in the company.”
Tilakaratne, in a letter posted on the website of Hicorp International (http://www.hicorp.us/index.htm) admitted that the Tender Board of the Sri Lanka Army has awarded tenders to his company for supply of arms and equipment and claims that “these tenders were granted due to the lower bids we consistently offered to the Sri Lankan forces.”
However, his letter refrained from commenting on the charge that he had received quotations of other companies in advance so HiCorp could quote a figure few cents lower than others. He says that there had not been any undue influence in granting tenders to his company.
Tilakaratne, referring to the allegation made against the tender procedure in Parliament on Tuesday says that he had decided to post the letter on the website to clarify the issue. However, he failed to say whether it was ethical for Gen Fonseka to sit as Tender Board head and grant tenders to a company owned partly by himself and his son-in-law.
Acknowledges Gen Fonseka’s role as Tender Board head
Folowing is the full text of the letter:
OURATTENTION HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO CERTAIN ALLEGATIONS MADE IN THEPARLIAMENT OF SRILANKA REGARDING NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS WITH THESRILANKA ARMY. AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY I WISH TO CLARIFY THEISSUES RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER, FOR THEBENIFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC
Our company, Hicorp International, has followed the proper procedures when bidding for tenders with the Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air Force. As President of HiCorp International, I take full responsibility for all tenders bid for by us, and our partner companies British Borneo Defense, Satpro Communications and Hitrone LC. We believe that these tenders were granted due to the lower bids we consistently offered to the Sri Lankan forces.
Further, I would like to confirm that although General Fonseka was aware of these bids as Chairman of the Tender Board, his decision to award the tenders to us, were not affected due to my relationship with him or his ownership in the company.
Thank you,
Danuna Tilakaratne
President, HiCorp International & British Borneo Defense
Oklahoma, USA
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
It is high time that all
It is high time that all members of Government Tender Boards are asked to sign on each tender document that he/she has no conflict of interest with the tenderers. Every member of any tender board must sign a declaration that he or she will declare if there is any conflict of interest and walk out of the room when ever there is a conflict of interest.
If such a stipulation is absent in the current Establishment Code, there is a need for a Corporate Governance Committee to be appointed to strengthen the Corporate Governance stipulations in the Establishment Code.
In Sri lanka nearly 70% of
In Sri lanka nearly 70% of the GDP is spent on procurements and perhaps Sri Lanka is the only country which has published guidelines for procurement procedure. What Mr. DeMel suggests is very important in the fight against corruption and also it will help in good corporate governance.
Now it is high time that someone who was involved in the investigation on behalf of AT to disclose the limits of Financial Authorities of Defense Secretary, Commanders of Defense Services and Chairman of Lanka Logistics Ltd., and also the value of each purchase made through Danuna Thillekeratne's Companies and who placed the orders. This will clear the grey areas in the controversial procurements and put a stop to apparently one sided investigations.
Post new comment