The conventional public procurement guidelines set forth in Sri Lanka in 2006 have not been addressed the environmental performances regarding the utilization of goods, works and services Therefore inclusion of environmental considerations in to public Procurement is timely.

Green Public Procurement means that the public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured.

Green Procurement is one of the initiatives implemented by a government which could encourage the economy and society towards environmentally consumption and production patterns, being an example and delivering key policy objectives using its procurement opportunity by including environment criteria in to the procurement process. In long terms it could build a green economy converting the supply chain in to green.

The approval of the Cabinet of Ministers obtained in 2012 to formulate the Green Procurement Policy and Guidelines by taking action by Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment. Inclusion of provisions to encourage local producers to produce eco-friendly goods and services and to give high priority to the locally made goods is a major consideration which needs the special attention in preparing the Green Procurement Policy and Guidelines.

Major Activities Carried out during the Year 2015

• Finalization of Green Procurment Policy

The draft policy was improved in the workshop organized on 25.02.2015,23.03.2014 and 08.05.2015 with the stakeholders.Policy framework was finalised. draft was further improved with the comments recieved at the meeting held with the officials of Department of Public Finance on 21.05.2015. Final draft of the Policy has been prepared. Cabinet memorandum was drafted.

Workshops on developing the Green Procurement Policy