Concerns raised over delayed Colombo Port crane removal tender

Colombo, July 27 (Daily Mirror) - The tender to remove four old gantry cranes from the Colombo Port’s Jaya Container Terminal has been delayed for the third time, causing concerns among several bidders.

The tender, valued at over Rs. 200 million, was first scheduled to close on July 16, then postponed to July 28, and has now been extended until August 11.

Several bidders have reportedly requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to review the tender process, claiming that reducing the number of bidders from 11 to two could reduce competition and affect government revenue.

Port sector officials said several experienced companies that had submitted bids were removed from the final selection. They also claimed that companies involved in previous crane removal projects at the Colombo Port were among those excluded.

Some bidders questioned the decision to have the same tender committee consider appeals submitted by rejected applicants, saying an independent committee should review such appeals.

They also raised concerns that the process could favour a particular bidder, though no evidence has been presented to support the claim.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Parakrama Dissanayake said the tender process was still ongoing and approvals were being obtained. He said the process was being handled by two committees and it was not appropriate to comment further at this stage.

The four gantry cranes, installed in the 1980s, have become outdated and the SLPA has decided to remove them as part of efforts to modernise port operations.