According to the 2020 Auditor General’s report, the government has incurred a loss of over Rs.120 million due to purchasing PCR kits from a high bidder, regardless of market average prices.
It also states that 328 PCR kits were purchased on three occasions in 2020 at such high prices.
The audit report was handed over to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena by Auditor General WPC Wickramaratne last week.
At the time of the purchase, the average price of a PCR kit was Rs. 1,850, but the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation had spent over Rs.760 million, states the report.
It is stated that the PCR kits offered at the lowest bids have been rejected due to non-compatibility with existing PCR machines, and the Technical Evaluation Committee has acted in favour of certain companies, considering the state of emergency, the type of machinery used by the Medical Research Institute and experience.
The report also states that the specifications of the kits were not adequately prepared to match the machines used before bidding.
It also states that the Special Procurement Committee of the Ministry, on the recommendation of the Technical Evaluation Committee, has recommended making purchases from a high bidder at a loss of Rs. 12.5 million.
