⚖️ Govt. Sets Up Independent Procurement Sanctions Appeal Panel

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has established an independent three-member appeal committee to review sanctions, debarments, and blacklisting decisions in public procurement, addressing a key procedural gap in Sri Lanka's tendering framework. • Governance & Institutional Reform: Established under Section 10.2 of the Procurement Guidelines – 2024 following Cabinet approval, the mechanism aims to enhance transparency, institutional governance, and private sector confidence in government procurement. • Committee Structure: Appointed for a three-year term, the panel is chaired by a retired judge alongside two former Ministry Secretaries. The Department of Public Finance serves as the Secretariat. • Operational Scope: Allows suppliers, contractors, and service providers to submit written appeals and evidence against penalties imposed by Chief Accounting Officers (CAOs). The panel provides independent recommendations to the Treasury Secretary for final decisions. • Current Status: The committee has already reviewed multiple appeals lodged by bidders and submitted its recommendations to the Treasury Secretary.