Officials from Sri Lanka’s National Procurement Commission (NPC) have informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the government is experiencing substantial financial losses due to improper procurement processes. This revelation was shared during a meeting, as reported by the President’s Media Division (PMD).
The President’s party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has previously exposed various corrupt practices related to government procurement and unsolicited projects. In response, the JVP has vowed to take legal action against past corruption while establishing a robust procurement process to prevent future misconduct.
During the meeting, President Dissanayake emphasized the need for a comprehensive procurement plan and advocated for the strengthening of the NPC. He engaged in detailed discussions with NPC officials regarding the existing procurement laws and procedures. According to the PMD, the NPC officials highlighted that ideally, about 60% of all government expenditures, including capital expenses, should adhere to a formal procurement process. However, the current shortcomings in this system have led to significant financial losses and increased opportunities for fraud and corruption.
The discussions also addressed various challenges within the procurement process, including delays, a lack of transparency, and inefficiencies. Attention was given to reducing issues related to unsolicited proposals and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) procurements. President Dissanayake suggested expanding the NPC’s authority to facilitate more systematic procurement planning. The JVP has raised concerns regarding some past unsolicited infrastructure projects awarded to foreign entities, including those involving India and China.
Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath announced last week that the government plans to review all current projects following the parliamentary elections scheduled for November 14.
