The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a multi-million-dollar contract to overhaul four military MI-17 helicopters, despite growing scrutiny over irregularities in the tender process and questions surrounding regulatory compliance.
The US$18 million contract was awarded to M/s Winsley Defence Group d.o.o. of Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented in Sri Lanka by M/s Securatec Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Each helicopter overhaul is expected to cost around US$4.5 million, including transport and insurance.
According to the Sunday Times, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) selected the company as the lowest evaluated responsive bidder after a long-delayed procurement process, which was first initiated in 2023 but stalled due to “bureaucratic hurdles”. The MI-17 fleet is central to flood-relief operations, medical evacuations, and UN peacekeeping deployments.
Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed last week that he would consult the Ministry of Defence and provide a full explanation after questions were raised about whether the tender met mandatory technical conditions.
Journalists questioned Dr Jayatissa during the weekly cabinet briefing, noting that three companies had submitted bids but the Ministry of Defence had selected the Bosnian-linked company despite unresolved documentation issues. Jayatissa responded that he would produce a detailed response after discussions with defence officials.
A full report on the tender process and the proposed life-extension programme for the MI-17 fleet is scheduled to be presented to cabinet next week, with further disclosures expected at the official cabinet briefing.
Despite the controversy, SLAF commanders are pressing for rapid approval, claiming that the aircraft are essential in emergencies.
The Sri Lankan military has been purchasing Mi-17 helicopters since at least 1993, according to a military website, with the helicopters regularly having been deployed in military offensives that have killed civilians.
In one such massacre, the Navaly church bombing of 1995 that killed over 140 Tamil civilians, survivors recalled hearing “eight explosions ring out as the helicopters flew past” on the day of the attack.
Read more: Navaly church bombing survivors continue calls for justice 23 years on