Police shoes from China shop

At least a part of the outfit for all policemen in Sri Lanka would be Chinese made deck shoes.

The Ministry of Law and Order will buy 61,000 pairs from Xiamen Jade Stone Trading Company at a cost of US$ 890,905 or Rs. 189, 892, 321. The cost includes agency commission for Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation Ltd.

The Chinese firm has been selected out of six bidders. The others, a report said, had products that were found to contain stitching hardness.

The technical evaluation for the purchase has been done by a five member team headed by P.B. Nikahetiya, DIG, Transport and Communications Range. The other members were S.C. Weragoda, Senior Lecturer, University of Moratuwa, Colonel J.A.D.P. Jayathilaka, Commandant- CAAD, Sri Lanka Army, Saman Dharmasiri, Accountant, Ministry of Defence and M.S.K. Jayasena, acting Director of Management Services.

Government sources said the Chinese shoes were the highest priced among the six tenderers. However, they said its quality was considered better. Here is a line of the offers received:

Siba Holdings ( Private) Ltd. US 8.25 per pair, Ace International US$ 11.12 per pair, Satisfactory Sales and Sourcing ( Pvt.) Ltd US$ 8.97 per pair, S.W. International Rs. 1,948.80 and Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon Ltd. Rs. 2,350.88 per pair. The last two bidders, these sources said, were to provide shoes manufactured locally and their offers covered VAT.

However, the Sri Lanka State Trading ( Gen.) Corporation ( STC) had made a successful bid for US$ 14.90.