Tea Board machine inoperable; Bribery Commission initiates inquiry

A machine to analyse the chemical composition of pesticides purchased by the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) at a cost of Rs 32.13 million in 2009 has proved useless.

This was revealed during the questions for oral answers session in Parliament last week.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana had asked the Minister of Plantation Industries to inform the House of the date on which a machine to analyse the chemical composition of pesticides was purchased for SLTB; the expenditure borne for it; whether he is aware that the said machine has not been used yet; if so, of the reasons for that; and the measures that will be taken in this regard. The question was asked by SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana for MP Jayawardhana in his absence.

As per the answer tabled in the House, it has been revealed that two machines were purchased by the Tea Board to analyse the chemical composition of pesticides. The first machine was purchased on 24.03.2009 while the second was purchased on 23.11.2020.

The 2009 machine was purchased at a cost of Rs 32.13 million while the 2020 machine was purchased at a cost of Rs 69.37 million. The machine purchased in 2009 does not work and only the 2020 one is currently being utilised.

A report was obtained from the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (Pvt) Ltd regarding the machine purchased in 2009. The report found that the primary reasons for the machine to be inoperable were due to shortcomings in the tender process, which included disregarding the recommendations of the Technical Evaluation Committee. The company from which the machine was purchased had also not provided any training to the relevant officers on operating the machine. Moreover, the machine had not been properly positioned and requirements for it to operate had not been met, the report had found.

Based on the initial investigation report, a charge sheet was issued on 07.04.2021 against the then Deputy Director of the Tea Board’s laboratory. The disciplinary inquiry however, had recommended that the officer be released from all charges.

The disciplinary inquiry report was presented to the Director Board on 22.09.2022. The Board decided to have an independent officer go through the relevant documents and review the case. A Board Paper presented on 27.04.2023 though, noted that the independent officer reviewing the case is unable to continue due to illness. As such, it was decided to appoint another officer to review the case. Further disciplinary action will be taken based on the recommendations of that officer.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has initiated an inquiry into the matter.