Sustainable procurement in the Sri Lankan construction industry

Abstract

The construction industry is a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economy, contributing approximately 6% to the national GDP. However, the sector predominantly relies on conventional procurement practices that prioritize initial cost, often overlooking the long-term environmental, social, and economic implications the three pillars of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL). Although there is a global transition toward sustainable procurement, its integration within Sri Lanka’s construction industry remains limited, leading to a significant knowledge gap. The recent introduction of the 2024 Procurement Guidelines, which recognize Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP), marks a positive policy shift than its earlier version of 2006. Nevertheless, the effective implementation of these principles is currently constrained, as the supporting framework from the National Procurement Commission is still under development. Therefore, this research aims to address this gap. The primary objective is to critically evaluate the current extent of sustainability integration within procurement processes in the Sri Lankan construction sector.