The Island
Transport Minister Dallas Alahapperuma has appointed an independent committee to investigate the condition of two German-built railway engines imported through a Singapore-based company. This follows allegations that the two engines, S-8 and S-9, though categorised as new, were second hand.
The engines were purchased on the recommendation of Sri Lankan railway engineers from a German company in Singapore. In case there had been irregularities in the purchasing process, the persons responsible would be prosecuted.
Transport Minister Alahapperuma said that trade unions had the right to pin point any sort of irregularity in the department and Sri Lankan Railway engineers who went to Singapore had recommended the two engines.
He pointed out that some trade unions in the department had made strong allegations against the department that the imported engines had been used and sub-standard. An Independent Committee comprising engineers was appointed to investigate.
Minister Alahapperuma added that on a previous occasion a problem had arisen over the purchase of 6 traction armichers and railway engineers had found that the they were sub standard. The case was handed over to the Independent Committee which found that armichers were reconditioned ones and not up to standard.
He said that the Transport Ministry had no alternative but to call the Canadian company for replacement. The Canadian company sent a representative to replace the armichers and the Transport Ministry wanted US $ 173,750.00 Bank guarantee from the responsible company until the armichers were installed.