Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has formally requested information from multiple public authorities regarding the controversial procurement of coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant.
The move comes amid mounting public scrutiny, parliamentary inquiries, and allegations of irregularities in the tender process, coal quality, and oversight mechanisms.
TISL’s intervention seeks certified documentation to clarify whether procurement standards were upheld, whether coal shipments met required specifications, and whether the process safeguarded public funds and accountability.
According to a TISL statement, the requests were submitted to key institutions involved in the procurement, oversight, and handling of coal shipments, including the Lanka Coal Company (LCC), Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, and the National Procurement Commission.
These requests seek to clarify accusations relating to the transparency of the tender process, procurement procedures, coal quality verification, financial transactions, and oversight mechanisms associated with the importation of coal.
Concerns surrounding the coal procurement process have been widely reported and debated in recent months. In early 2025, it was reported that the Ministry of Energy would procure coal on behalf of the Lanka Coal Company, with amendments subsequently made to the bidding documents.
The amended tender was issued for the purchase of a large quantity of coal intended for electricity generation at the Norochcholai plant. However, the process has since attracted public scrutiny.
Allegations were raised by political actors and civil society representatives regarding irregularities in the tender process, including claims that the tender submission period was shortened and that eligibility requirements may have been amended in ways that benefited particular suppliers.
Following the completion of the tender process in September 2025, further allegations emerged regarding the selected supplier and the quality of coal shipments supplied to Sri Lanka. It has been reported that multiple consignments of coal have already been delivered under the contract, with concerns raised about whether the coal supplied meets the required quality specifications.
In January 2026, allegations surfaced that certain shipments were of inferior quality, prompting public debate about the potential financial and operational impact on electricity generation at the Norochcholai Power Plant. The Ministry of Energy later confirmed that an internal investigation had been initiated within the Ceylon Electricity Board, focusing primarily on operational and procedural issues related to document disclosures rather than the procurement process itself.
The matter has since drawn the attention of several parliamentary oversight bodies. The Lanka Coal Company was summoned before the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development to provide clarification regarding coal shipments and quality assessments. Additionally, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has indicated that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the procurement process.
In light of these developments, TISL seeks to obtain certified documentation relating to several critical aspects of the procurement process, including transparency of the tender process, evaluation and selection of the supplier, coal quality verification, financial transactions and penalties, oversight and investigations, and shipment and inspection records.
TISL seeks to clarify whether the procurement adhered to established standards, whether quality verification procedures were properly followed, and whether any financial losses or risks to the electricity sector and the provision of public goods may have arisen.
TISL therefore urges all relevant authorities to ensure timely and comprehensive disclosure of the requested information in accordance with the Right to Information Act.
Stating that weaknesses in procurement oversight can undermine the effective use of public resources, the reliable provision of essential public goods and services, and accountability in governance, TISL called on the government to strengthen Sri Lanka’s public procurement framework, recognising that robust procurement systems are critical to safeguarding public funds and maintaining public trust. (Newswire)