Officials of a foreign diplomatic mission in Colombo are exerting pressure on Sri Lanka over the tenderfor the printing of a digital national identity card, said government sources.
The Indian government has agreed to grant an Indian Rs. 3,000 million loan for the project, on condition that a company from that country is given the tender.
Seven Indian companies have placed bids, with the bidding due to close today (02).
Five of the bidders have sought a weeklong extension in view of technical issues inthe tender, but a cabinet appointed feasibility committee has ignored it.
As a senior government official said, a consultant to the government is pressurizing the committee that comprises the secretaries of three ministries.
The technical evaluator has withdrawn from the task due to the issues in the tender.
