Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has claimed that Sri Lanka is losing nearly two gigawatt-hours of electricity each day due to the controversial coal tender.
Speaking at a media briefing today (26) on the alleged coal procurement scandal, Ranawaka said the losses being incurred are almost double the penalty that authorities expect to recover from the coal supplier.
The issue gained further attention after Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP D.V. Chanaka told Parliament that the importation of substandard coal for the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai had caused losses of nearly Rs. 10 billion, triggering widespread public debate.
In response, the Ministry of Power and Energy said a conclusive assessment of the coal quality could not yet be made, as the port quality inspection report has still not been released. The Ministry added that penalties could be imposed on the supplier if quality shortcomings are confirmed, as previously stated by Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody.
However, the controversy deepened yesterday when Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that the disputed coal shipment does contain quality deficiencies, lending further weight to the allegations surrounding the tender.
