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COPE wants AG to submit report on controversial gas deal
By Saman Indrajith
Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has recommended that Auditor General’s Department conduct an investigation into the cancellation of the Term Tender, approved by the Cabinet to buy gas from Siam Gas at USD 96 per metric ton and the purchase of 100,000 metric tons of gas at a cost of USD 129 per metric ton from an Oman company.
COPE chaired by Prof Charitha Herath made this observation when Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Private) Ltd., and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation were summoned before COPE as part of an inquiry to ascertain if the orders given by the previous COPE had been implemented and to discuss their current performance.
It was discovered that tenders had been invited to purchase 2,80,000 metric tons of gas and three gas suppliers had submitted bids. Siam gas Company had offered the lowest price (USD 96) per metric ton, and accordingly the Cabinet had approved to award the tender to that company.
The Litro officials said that gas could not be obtained from Siam gas Company due to the economic crisis as banks in Sri Lanka were unable to submit the Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) to Litro as per the conditions stipulated during the bidding process.
They further said that during the discussions with the company, Siam had expressed its unwillingness to supply gas without a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC).
Due to that delay, as a temporary solution, Siam gas Company had suggested that it could provide 15,000 metric tons of gas as an emergency purchase. This is the gross amount of gas required for two weeks. However, the company then said it could supply only 6600 metric tons.
Litro officials also said that the Oman company, which had sent prices at USD 129 per metric ton for the Term Tender, had agreed to provide 100,000 metric tons of gas for four months at 25,000 metric tons per month.
Accordingly, after informing the Cabinet of the situation, the term tender given to Siam gas Company had been cancelled and Cabinet and approval granted for the term tender to purchase 100,000 metric tons of gas from the Omani company.
A USD 70 million loan from the World Bank and 20 million of Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., amounting to USD 90 million in total had been used for this procurement, Muditha Peiris, Chairman of Litro Lanka said.
The COPE chairman instructed the Auditor General’s Department to conduct an investigation and report whether the loan amount of USD 70 million from the World Bank had been properly utilised.
Prof. Herath added that buying gas from the Omani company at a higher price instead of the lowest bidder, Siam, could set a bad precedent.
The committee also inquired why Litro had not been able to purchase gas with USD 160 million allocated for the purchase of gas under the Indian Credit Line.The Litro chairman said that according to the conditions of the Indian government, Litro had to buy gas from the Indian company.
Litro officials said several rounds of discussions had been held on the matter. The COPE Chairman recommended to the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to look into the issue immediately and submit a report within two weeks.
The attention of the COPE was also drawn to the fact that there were only four directors at Litro. It was revealed that according to the law, there should be five members. Since the Ministry of Finance appoints the members of the Board of Directors, COPE pointed out the need to appoint the Board of Directors as per law. The COPE Chairman recommended the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to take necessary measures on this.
The COPE discussed the suitability of the same person holding the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company.The COPE also inquired whether Litro could obtain financial support from Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, the parent company. Chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Vijitha Herath said that the company had been able to purchase gas in the past due to the deposit of nearly five billion rupees in a state bank.
Representing the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Saman Fernando. Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and former Litro Chairman Vijitha Herath, Litro Chairman Muditha Peiris were present at this meeting whilst Thesara Jayawardane, former chairman of Litro Company, joined online.
Parliamentarians Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Anura Dissanayaka, (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera, Jagath Pushpakumara, Indika Anuruddha, S.M Marikkar, Jayantha Samaraweera, (Dr.) Nalaka Godahewa, Premnath C. Dolawatta and Madhura Withanage were present at the meeting.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
