The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has suffered financial losses amounting to over Rs 42 million due to serious procurement irregularities in the purchase of thermal paper ticket rolls, according to the Auditor General’s latest annual audit of the SLTB’s 2023 financial report.
The audit revealed that despite market changes and competitive bids offering lower rates, the SLTB continued to procure ticket rolls at inflated prices from a previous supplier — a decision that cost the state-run transport entity an additional Rs 35.7 million.
The SLTB had opted to purchase 603,180 ticket rolls at Rs 108.84 per roll, despite a valid bid offering the same product at just Rs 49.65.
The decision not only ignored more economical alternatives but also contravened standard National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures.
The report further revealed that 24 SLTB depots made direct purchases of 161,110 ticket rolls worth Rs 17.53 million, bypassing required procurement protocols.
Furthermore, 364,400 rolls were purchased without price revisions, leading to an overpayment of Rs 7.15 million, as each roll cost Rs 19.64 more than the prevailing market rate of Rs 75.
The thermal paper rolls supplied by the selected contractor were also found to be substandard.
Auditors highlighted deficiencies in roll diameter, paper width, and weight, as well as insufficient carbon coating, resulting in unclear ticket printing and operational disruptions.
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