Backwards in Blacklisting: Gaps in Sri Lanka’s Procurement Framework Enable Corruption

The research brief titled “Backwards in Blacklisting: Gaps in Sri Lanka’s Procurement Framework Enable Corruption” by Verité Research, published in November 2023, critically evaluates Sri Lanka’s public procurement system. It highlights two significant gaps: the legal gap, where procurement guidelines don’t allow for blacklisting contractors/suppliers involved in fraud and corruption, and the compliance gap, shown by the failure to maintain a blacklist for defaulting contractors. The brief compares Sri Lanka’s approach unfavourably with other South Asian countries, noting these countries’ more effective implementation of blacklisting and their maintenance of updated online databases of blacklisted firms. The study emphasizes the need for Sri Lanka to implement robust blacklisting provisions and maintain a comprehensive online list of blacklisted companies to deter corruption and ensure efficient use of public funds.