January 25, Colombo (LNW): Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa has confirmed that coal samples sent overseas for independent testing have failed to meet the required calorific standards, intensifying scrutiny over a shipment that has drawn widespread public attention.
Speaking to reporters in Kalutara, the Minister said the analysis, conducted in India, showed that the coal did not reach the agreed energy output levels. As a result, authorities are preparing to take action against the supplier in line with contractual provisions.
Dr Jayatissa stressed that the procurement procedure itself had been followed correctly and that the issue came to light only after the initial consignment of 60,000 metric tonnes had arrived in Sri Lanka. According to him, it was the supplier’s own testing process that first identified the shortfall in quality, triggering the move towards penalties.
He further noted that additional checks will be carried out once coal shipments are unloaded locally, and warned that any failure to comply with stipulated standards would automatically result in financial penalties, without room for discretion.
The controversy has also reached Parliament, where Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP D.V. Chanaka recently claimed that the delivery of inferior coal to the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant has caused losses estimated at nearly Rs. 10 billion, adding pressure on authorities to ensure accountability and tighter oversight going forward.
