WHEN: 26 January 2026 I TIME: 9:00 – 17:00 (Colombo Time)
Background
To accelerate the transition toward a circular economy, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) of the Government of Sri Lanka, in partnership with the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component (PSC), will convene a high-level stakeholder workshop in Colombo on 26 January 2026.
This event, titled “Advancing Green Public Procurement in Sri Lanka,” marks a milestone in the second stage of the Technical Advisory Project: Elevating Sustainable/Green Public Procurement (S/GPP) in Sri Lanka. It will bring together over decision-makers to transform national green policy into a practical, operational reality. By leveraging the government's significant purchasing power, the project aims to stimulate market demand for sustainable products, providing "green" providers with the market access necessary to thrive.
Sustainable Public Procurement is recognized globally as a key driver for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12.7). By fostering coordinated action between environment, finance, and procurement authorities, Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a regional leader in the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient future.
Agenda
|
Time |
Session |
|
08.30am – 09.00am |
Registration of Participants |
|
09.00am– 09.10am |
Welcome and Opening of the Workshop – Ms Kumudini MOE |
|
09.10am– 09.30am |
Keynote Address Mr. K. R. Uduwawala Secretary, Ministry of Environment |
|
09.30am – 09.45am |
Opening Remarks Mr. E. A. Rathnaseela Director General, Department of Public Finance |
|
9.45am– 10.15am |
Overview of Green Public Procurement in Sri Lanka: Policy Context, Progress, and Way Forward, Ministry of Environment |
|
10.15am – 10.30am |
Group Photo |
|
10.30am – 10.45am |
Tea Break |
|
10.45am– 11.30am |
Role of Green Public Procurement in Achieving National Sustainability and Climate Goals, Dr Sampath Wahala |
|
11.30am – 12.30pm |
Progress of the National GPP Programme and Key Focus Areas – Product Prioritization – Institutional Roles and Coordination, Dr Sampath Wahala |
|
12.30pm – 13.15pm |
Lunch Break (45 minutes) |
|
13.15pm – 13.45pm |
Presentation about International Experience on GPP, Mr Sanjay Kumar |
|
13.45pm– 14.15pm |
Presentation about GPP Guidelines and planned Legal Review , Atty Shenella Fonseka |
|
14.15pm – 16.15pm |
Interactive Session: Challenges, Opportunities, and Priority Actions for Advancing GPP Why hasn’t GPP taken off yet? What areas and actions should be prioritised for the next 5 years? Why |
|
16.15pm– 16.35pm |
Summary of Key Outcomes and Agreed Next Steps |
|
16.35pm– 16.45pm |
Closing Remarks and Way Forward |
|
16.45pm – 17.00pm |
Tea Break |
Contact:
For more information on EU SWITCH-Asia activities in S/GPP, contact:
Ms. Elodie Maria-Sube, EU Policy Development and Stakeholder Engagement Expert
SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component
