Shortcomings in procurement process cause significant losses to government: NPC tells President

Colombo, October 28 (Daily Mirror)- Shortcomings in the procurement process are causing significant losses to the government, officials from the National Procurement Commission (NPC) informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today.

They informed the President that these shortcomings have created greater opportunities for fraud and corruption, President’s Media Division (PMD)said.

"Although around 60% of all government expenditures, including capital expenses, should ideally follow a proper procurement process, shortcomings in this process are causing significant losses to the government. This creates greater opportunities for fraud and corruption, the officials told the President.

They informed this to the President during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (28), where he engaged in an in-depth discussion with NPC officials on the current procurement laws and procedures.

The President emphasised the importance of implementing a procurement plan and strengthening the National Procurement Commission (NPC).

The discussion also covered issues related to delays, lack of transparency and inefficiencies in the procurement process. Attention was given to minimising shortcomings in handling unsolicited proposals and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) procurements.

President Dissanayake pointed out the need to further expand the authority of the NPC to establish a more systematic procurement planning.