By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): Mr. Rohan Fernando, Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC clarified on reports on him receiving a luxury vehicle, stating that the said vehicle is provided by the Company not on a demand or personal request by him but to the position itself.
Speaking to LNW, Mr. Fernando clarified that in the case of current vehicle used by the state telecommunication service provider’s chief a suitable vehicle was sourced in 2020 as the existing vehicle, a Land Cruiser V8 was over six years old and had clocked closed to 300,000 km requiring major repairs.
Below is the full statement made with LNW by the SLT Chief in response to the reports:
Chairman’s vehicle is provided by the Company and not on a demand or personal request by the Chairman.
In the case of current vehicle used by the chairman a suitable vehicle was sourced in 2020 as the existing vehicle a Land Cruiser V8 was over six years old and had clocked closed to 300,000 km requiring major repairs.
When checking the prices they (Company) found that Land Cruiser V8 prices as a replacement to be 10 million Rs more than Range Rover prices.
I was only asked whether it’s OK by me to go for the cheaper option and if so to inspect the vehicle as it was imported one year before by a private car importer.
The old Land Cruiser allocated as the chairman’s vehicle was sold by auction and I believe it yielded 23 Million Rs. Hence the total outflow needs to calculated taking this amount as well.
As the Chairman of SLTMOBITEL I use only one official vehicle and at night it’s parked at Mobitel premises.
When in such situation and when the official vehicle is sent for service or repairs I use my private vehicle.
On the contrary the Chairman before 2020 had a fleet of vehicles for his use as well as back up vehicles for security provided by the PSD.
Now this should clear the picture from my side but anyone can check with the Company
Why or should a vehicle be given to the chairman of the second largest market cap listed entity, running at best profits and categorized amongst the 10 best Companies in SL.
What should be the ideal vehicle a Chairman should be given to use considering travel to far corners of the island including remote locations such as Kytes and Delft islands where Company installations and switches are located.
Is it the public or board of directors who should decide this issue in the first instance.
I am sure all procedures and board approvals have been received by the Company procurement sections in this regard.
Has their been a fraud or alleged fraud in the purchase of the vehicle and if so what legal action could be instituted as opposed to writing stories in social media.
