Sri Lankan technology entrepreneur and computer scientist Sanjiva Weerawarna has raised questions over a Rs. 173.86 million consultancy contract approved by the Cabinet under an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded tourism development programme, calling on senior government officials to examine the circumstances surrounding the deal.
In a post on X, Weerawarna described certain aspects of the consultancy arrangement as “fishy”, particularly raising concerns over one of the companies associated with the contract.
The Cabinet recently approved the award of the consultancy contract for the Sustainable Tourism Sector Development Programme, which is being implemented with a US$30 million loan from the ADB.
According to the Cabinet decision, the contract was recommended for award to Resources Development Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, in association with Novel Interdisciplinary Consulting Enterprise (Pvt) Ltd (NICE), both Sri Lankan companies.
The programme is aimed at improving tourism facilities and upgrading infrastructure at selected attractions in the Dambulla-Sigiriya and Trincomalee areas.
The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development received expressions of interest from 15 consultancy firms, with six subsequently invited to submit proposals. Five proposals were evaluated before the Cabinet-appointed Consultancy Procurement Committee recommended awarding the contract for Rs. 173.86 million, excluding VAT.
Weerawarna directed much of his criticism at NICE and shared what he identified as the company’s website. He claimed that the website’s domain had been registered only in March 2025 and questioned its content and functionality.
According to Weerawarna, parts of the website did not function properly, while an Arabic-language form appeared when he attempted to navigate certain sections.
He also shared screenshots which he said contained information on the company’s projects, client comments and management, and questioned aspects of the material presented on the website.
Weerawarna further referred to publicly available professional profiles which he said appeared to identify individuals associated with NICE, including its managing director and another director.
However, Weerawarna did not allege that the procurement process itself had been conducted unlawfully. Instead, he called on senior government figures to examine the consultancy arrangement and the background of the company involved.
