Cabinet Approves Rs. 563 Mn GovTech Marketplace for Digital Procurement 📈

The Sri Lankan Cabinet has greenlit a Rs. 563 million project to establish a centralized digital marketplace, aimed at streamlining government technology procurement and eliminating current systemic inefficiencies. • Project Scope & Timeline: Proposed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the initiative will be rolled out in three phases between 2026 and 2027 under the Digital Transformation Program – Phase 1. • Core Objective: The platform will serve as a one-stop shop for government institutions to source digital products, shifting away from the current fragmented and independent agency sourcing model. • Economic Impact: • SME & Vendor Inclusion: Designed to lower entry barriers, allowing a broader pool of suppliers to compete for state contracts. • Operational Efficiency: Aims to reduce duplication and inconsistent standards while ensuring value for money through a merit-based selection system. • Digital Infrastructure: Enhances the national ICT/BPM ecosystem by utilizing Digital Public Infrastructure to consolidate demand and improve public service delivery. • Investment: Rs. 563 million total allocation for development and deployment. This move is a critical step in the government’s broader digitalization agenda to modernize the public sector and foster transparency in high-value technology investments.