World Bank expresses concern over allegations regarding debarment of SMEC International

The World Bank yesterday released a statement expressing concern over erroneous reports  regarding the debarment of SMEC International Pty. Ltd., for 12 months.

The World Bank said in the statement the allegations reported in Sri Lankan media are not based on any statements from the World Bank and falsely use the World Bank's name as a source for these allegations.

The statement is as follows :

There are allegations in the media in Sri Lanka referring to the announcement on September 28 by the World Bank of the debarment of SMEC International Pty. Ltd., a subsidiary of SMEC Holdings Pty. Ltd., for 12 months. These allegations are not based on any statements from the World Bank and falsely use the World Bank’s name as a source for these allegations. The statement on SMEC’s debarment can be found  here.

The World Bank takes allegations of fraud and corruption affecting Bank-financed projects seriously. Under the World Bank policy governing the disclosure of investigations, we cannot share additional details relating to evidence or process. Our investigative findings are referred to concerned governments to determine whether or not there has been a violation of national laws. The outcome of investigations of such allegations are publicly announced on the World Bank Group's Integrity webpage: www.worldbank.org/integrity or www.worldbank.org/debar