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Last Updated : 2024-04-29 07:31:00
18 February 2024 01:20 pm - 39 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, Feb 18 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka has the worst record among South Asian countries in blacklisting corrupt contractors in public procurement, according to a new report by Verité Research.
The report shows that Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia that 1) does not recognise engaging in corrupt and fraudulent activities during procurement as a valid reason for blacklisting 2) has not blacklisted contractors that have defaulted on contractual obligations despite having the provisions to do so.
The first issue can be attributed to gaps in the procurement guidelines of 2006, which govern almost all public procurement in Sri Lanka — except in a few instances such as pharmaceutical procurement.
The report emphasises the importance of urgently fixing these gaps to combat corruption and restore fiscal governance.
The second issue – not blacklisting defaulting contractors – shows a lack of compliance with existing regulations. Sri Lanka has provisions not only to blacklist defaulting contractors, but also to publish their names on a public, online database.
However, this database, maintained by the Department of Public Finance, is empty. By contrast, as of July 2023, Nepal had 629 entries on its online database and Bangladesh had 510.
High levels of corruption in procurement and the importance of fixing then have also been highlighted in the civil society governance diagnostic and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) governance diagnostic on Sri Lanka. In fact, one of the key IMF recommendations is to enact a public procurement law in Sri Lanka that reflects international best practices by December 2024.
The report by Verité Research, titled “Backwards in Blacklisting: Gaps in Sri Lanka’s Procurement Framework Enable Corruption”, is available on the Verité Research website – https://www.veriteresearch.org/publication/sri-lanka-procurement-corruptiongaps/
Rassal Sunday, 18 February 2024 01:30 PM
We all know how corrupted our politicians , contractors and law are, they never been punished or published, as they are all part and parcel of the corruption.
Lohan Ratwatte Sunday, 18 February 2024 09:11 PM
In fact corrupt contractors and their enablers are recognized by ththis state.Sadly even international lending organizations are blind to this corrupt activity when granting loans.
Bandu Sunday, 18 February 2024 01:32 PM
Thatas how the crooked politicians and the mafia business works in Sri lanka. Pls expose the corrupt, only way to improve the country getting out from bankruptcy.
Ordinary Citizen Sunday, 18 February 2024 01:50 PM
The fact is; as long as an utterly corrupt Govt is in power in Sri Lanka, will that Govt ever blacklist corrupt contractors and fraudulent activities? The answer is NO, they will never do so.
Mahila Sunday, 18 February 2024 07:21 PM
"The fact is; as long as an utterly corrupt Government is in power in Sri Lanka, will that Government ever blacklist corrupt contractors and fraudulent activities?" NO!? They will not!!?? The fact is as long as, utterly corrupt “ELECTORATE” – NOT dependant on Intelligent and Knowledge based decision, but provision of incentive – ‘Rs 5000, Biriyani Lunch, and ¼ Gal Arrack’ on Election Day – EXISTS, "The Government" in power in Sri Lanka, will NOT CHANGE!!?? Therefore, UNCHANGED Government, will NEVER blacklist corrupt contractors and END their fraudulent activities? WHAT and WHO must effect CHANGE??? NOT the 'BRIBED' POLITICIANS or the Fraudulent CONTRACTORS!!?? The ELECTORATE OUTLOOK must change!? NOT vote, SAME old MONKEYS for System to Change - ELIMINATE THE CORRUPT!?
Jeya Sunday, 18 February 2024 01:51 PM
Most of the corrupt contractors and suppliers are relative and friends of cabinet ministers.This is the main reason for not blacklisting the defaulted contractors. This is an open secret.
Unknown Sunday, 18 February 2024 01:52 PM
Pakistan is not blacklisted? What a joke Pakistan is like Sri Lanka
Cherath Sunday, 18 February 2024 02:48 PM
Not just contractors, even ambassadors, high commissioners and sons of Presidents are allowed to carry on their merry ways despite being caught with their hands in the candy bowl involving lose millions of $ to the state coffers - MIG deal, commissions on rented properties, promoting Sri Lanka and purchases. The General Public end up bankrupt with only air, free to breathe.
Jayantha Sunday, 18 February 2024 03:25 PM
Imf loves corrupt and corrupt politicians. They never force such blacklistings. This is the problem with imf. Any imf funds given to current corrupt should be recovered from imf officers who aproved funds not from Sri Lankan people. Go home imf.
Mahila Sunday, 18 February 2024 07:33 PM
Jayantha, So should the same "GO HOME CHINA", encouraging Corrupt Lending, by incentivising Corrupt Politicians!!! The repayment should not by SL Taxpayers, but Corrupt Politicians themselves!!?? Problem is that the Electorate is the worst!!! Re-electing "Time and Time Again" the CORRUPT, FRAUDULENT, MURDERERS!? BACK TO SQUARE 1; THE VOTERS RESPONSIBILITY – Inconceivable and Insane ELECTORATE!?
Stupidity of IMF Sunday, 18 February 2024 07:34 PM
You’re spot on. IMF should not be paid back using taxpayers money. Due to massive corruption
Conundrum Monday, 19 February 2024 08:01 AM
@Jayantha. You are spot on. It's perplexing how IMF keeps giving loans despite being well aware of the high level of corruption in SL!!! I won't be surprised if those who from IMF approving the loans have some benefits. It's not that IMF is clean but much less corrupt than SL. @Stupidity of IMF. Your point is valid. But it's like who would bell the cat. Who collects and manages the taxes? Isn't it the same corrupt bunch? Obviously the only way they would adopt is using tax payers money.
Mahila Monday, 19 February 2024 10:48 AM
Jayantha, IMF has given only One (01) Standby Credit Extended Facility 3.9 Billion USD for 4 years!!? The difference is IMF DOESN'T TRUST SL and it's GOVERNMENT, as they have misused PREVIOUSLY after agreeing to IMF Terms and Conditions - NOT Many Loans as claimed herein - That's false!!! That Loan or Standby Facility was approved Mid-Last Year to be delivered in 8 Equal Tranches of USD 465 Million approximately, succeeding tranche being approved after reviewing Performance of SL Treasury and FM for COMPLIANCE to IMF T
Tony Sunday, 18 February 2024 03:45 PM
How can Sri Lanka blacklist corrupt contractors as they are henchmen of corrupt politicians.
Gabriella Sunday, 18 February 2024 06:28 PM
For 76 years we have voted for the same corrupt scum and system. What is the answer ?
Gabriella Sunday, 18 February 2024 06:28 PM
For 76 years we have voted for the same corrupt scum and system. What is the answer ?
Sam Silva Sunday, 18 February 2024 08:54 PM
Exactly. As a whole the entire country is corrupted if not it will be corrupted eventually. There is no solution until for next 2 generation to come For all the crooks it is a paradise here and a small segment of people are paying the price. Even the small segment we have will change to be crooks in order to survive. It is very pathetic.
Culture/heritage Monday, 19 February 2024 07:48 AM
@Sam Silva. You are spot on. Eventually corruption will become the national identity (if not already); the culture/heritage which will qualify to be preserved.
Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 20 February 2024 10:13 PM
@Gabriella, answer to your question is that this time you vote for New Indian Boys known as NPP. They will sell everything to India and you can spend the rest of your life watching Bollywood movies looking at pretty people. How is that? Don't you like it.
VERITE REPORT SHOULD HAVE NAMED AND SHAMED Sunday, 18 February 2024 05:31 PM
LET US SEE IF THIS VERITE REPORT ABOVE RESULTS IN THE REDUCTION OF CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY, OR WILL IT BE LIKE 'POURING WATER ON A DUCKS BACK'.
Mahinda Karawita Sunday, 18 February 2024 05:35 PM
How can they blacklisting corrupt contractors in public procurement when Ministers and most the Government high ranking officer's are corrupted.
Mahila Monday, 19 February 2024 11:01 AM
Basic Requirement is Person (Forget Politicians they are "Temporary" - SLAS) UPRIGHT Backbone (Konda Keling Thiyana Ekene), not “WISHY WASHY” opportunists, self-serving and UNPATRIOTIC claiming to be NATIONALISTIC!!?? Oouch!! My Foot!!?? THAT'S WHAT IS LACKING??? ALL THE RESULT OF 1956 REAWAKENING!? "PANCHA MAHA BALAWEGAYA" - Dawn of "Appey Anduwa Yugaya"! Once own Government, WHO CARES!!!???
dana Sunday, 18 February 2024 07:26 PM
Truthfully Corrupt,fraudulent contractors are buddies of equally corrupt SriLankan politicians and their services highly seeking for public works,SriLankan politicians not much bother of quality but their commissions, keheliya only one of them
WE NEED TO SEE A FEW POLITICIANS AND PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS LOCKED UP TO STOP THIS CORRUPTION. Sunday, 18 February 2024 09:07 PM
ALL CONTRACTORS THAT ARE NOT BLACKLISTED AT TIME OF THIS REPORT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW WHAT CONTRACTS THEY WERE AWARDED AND WHO SIGNED THEM ON. ALSO, IF THE TENDER WAS AWARDED LIST NAMES OF ALL CONTRACTORS WHO TENDERED AND THEIR TENDER AMOUNT AS AGAINST THE ONE WHO GOT THE CONTRACT. NAME AND SHAME
Mahila Monday, 19 February 2024 04:58 AM
The LAW presently existing, STIPULATES such action and NOT done, or Non-Conformance, due lack of WILL, needing Inducement to act!!! Probably “Rs 5000, ¼ Gal Arrack, Chicken Biriyani Lunch” – same as received by the Voters, as Pre-Election inducement to VOTE the CORRUPT LOOTERS to POWER!!!???
Hassanda Sunday, 18 February 2024 09:18 PM
Sri Lanka will not Join this Group Bcos if they join Our 225 Parliament members including our Govt Officials will be notified by the Interpol to arrest bcos all these officials are Corrupt big time Looters
Aquarius Monday, 19 February 2024 02:11 AM
In Sri Lanka corruption is at all levels. Those who avoid accepting this are like the ostrich with the head in the sand. No institution is Sri Lanka is clean. All these findings, locally and internationally, are not going to change the present corrupt culture. Our society has come to a point of no return - the motto from top to bottom is "what is in it for me?"
Robin Banks Monday, 19 February 2024 02:31 AM
This the result when you have a president who is of the belief that it’s ok to steal as long as you don’t get caught . This is the rajapaksa legacy.
Sivalingam Monday, 19 February 2024 02:32 AM
Bond scammer is the boss.
Kandiah Balendran Monday, 19 February 2024 02:33 AM
EPF scammer is the CB chief.
Ranil the protector of criminals Monday, 19 February 2024 02:33 AM
Get ready rajapaksas and the other pohotuwa criminals, your day will come and you will be not as lucky as keheliya.
Nilmini Welivita Monday, 19 February 2024 02:37 AM
Most of the corrupt activities are conducted by businessmen associated with the SJB and JVP. Take a look at Sajith and his wife.
Sambo Monday, 19 February 2024 07:26 AM
We will first have to black list the politicians because they go hand in hand with the suppliers.
It is a life style for rogues? Can you change them? Monday, 19 February 2024 08:29 AM
For all those who write comments seated at home, has any of you worked in responsible position in the public sector? Do you know the heat and pressure brought on you if you do not toe their line? An auditor in Education Dept. in Kandy got acid thrown on his face. His crime? He made the mistake of detecting fraudulent travelling claims in the department. Will any of you dare to do your duty after this?
Percy Wijenayake Monday, 19 February 2024 09:24 AM
Your report on Corruption existed as far back as 75 years. Corrupt, politicians after SWRD period, public servants, contractors, tender box tampers, fraudulent employees, escalated quantities and estimates. The basic issue is lethargy, greediness for money to live an extravagant lifestyle. The resolution may be, review the wage structure, make tax and wealth free for pensioners, and a basic allowance for the unemployed. Religious leaders could take an active role to impart some knowledge to their followers.
Mark Carroll Monday, 19 February 2024 10:43 AM
The high flyers and the political circle that created the theft corruption bribery elegal activities misleading mismanagement.etc. Etc.its in blood now majority are play masters and very common practice people are looking for every opportunity to make easy money left right and centre bankcruptsy failed judicial system high flyers influence can be ever stopped? may be in future only god knows.....
Sambo Tuesday, 20 February 2024 07:46 AM
Birds of feather flock together.
ANNECUNT Friday, 23 February 2024 03:28 PM
NAMAL RAJAPAKSA gives recomendation letters printed in parliment letter heads to corrupt contractors to employ criminals
jazam Friday, 23 February 2024 05:20 PM
oh thambila are the reason !! lol !! gnansara where are you modaya ?? you never talk about these things ?most corrupted racist country
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