Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has presented evidence confirming that coal imported by the government from South Africa is of poor quality, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in a special statement today.
In a video message, the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) stated that his party had repeatedly warned the government, the President and the subject minister about the inferior quality of South African coal. He said the PUCSL’s latest report, which compares coal imported from Russia and South Africa, has reaffirmed those concerns.
Premadasa explained that the report indicates South African coal has failed to generate the full capacity required at the Lakvijaya Power Plant. Although the plant is designed to produce 300 megawatts, he claimed that shipments from South Africa have consistently fallen short.
He further noted that performance data from the Lakvijaya plant shows the required Gross Calorific Value (GCV) of 5900–6150 or 6200 could not be achieved. According to him, the PUCSL report highlights that operational data from Lakvijaya is more reliable than the Load Port and Dispatch reports, thereby confirming the inferior quality of the South African coal.
Premadasa also said that although the Ministry, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), and the subject minister had rejected the findings of the Lakvijaya plant, the PUCSL has accepted them and formally confirmed that the South African coal is substandard.
Citing further analysis, he said that while Russian coal produces 0.46 kg of fly ash per kilowatt hour, South African coal generates 0.93 kg — an increase of 102 percent — which he said further demonstrates its poor quality.
The Opposition Leader pointed out that the PUCSL report estimates losses from nine shipments at Rs. 8,497 million. He added that the higher ash content has exceeded humidity limits, placed excessive strain on equipment and increased the risk of boiler overheating, potentially causing damage.
Despite these findings, Premadasa said the government has initiated an emergency procurement process to import five additional ships carrying 60,000 tonnes of coal. He stressed that this move raises further concerns about the quality of coal supplied through the tender process.
He concluded by stating that the government must now provide answers to the public, as the PUCSL’s analysis has formally confirmed the importation of substandard coal.
