By: Puli
January 27, LNW (Colombo): The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) has called on the government to release survey reports from India and the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, alleging that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is incurring a daily loss of Rs. 75 million due to the use of substandard coal.
ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika claimed that investigations into coal tenders were halted and reports suppressed, despite laboratory tests showing that the imported coal failed to meet the required calorific value of 19,100 kilocalories (kcal).
According to the ECA, the use of coal from one shipment resulted in power generation losses of up to 100 megawatts, causing significant financial losses.
Meanwhile, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that the coal stock did not meet required quality standards, stating that samples tested in India were deficient in kilocalories. He said fines, including double penalties, would be recovered from the supplier if standards are not met, while stressing that there was no issue in the procurement process.
