The Lanka Coal Company has issued a statement rejecting claims circulating on social media regarding a telephone conversation linked to an emergency coal tender process.
In a statement dated April 13, Lanka Coal Company Chairman Jayantha Rathnayake said that an audio recording of a March 25 telephone conversation between himself, the company’s General Manager, and a representative of the coal supplier, has been circulated with distorted and misleading interpretations.
He said the conversation related to informing the supplier to submit a performance bond dated March 25, 2026, issued by the relevant bank, in connection with an emergency coal supply that had already received Cabinet approval and been awarded through a tender process.
The Chairman said that the emergency coal procurement and tender procedures were carried out in accordance with proper procurement guidelines and that the process is being implemented successfully. He also urged the public not to be misled by what he described as false or misleading social media reports.
Meanwhile, several members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) requesting an investigation into an alleged voice recording related to the coal tender process.
MP Mujibur Rahman, speaking to the media after submitting the complaint, said the recording indicates the tender may have been awarded to an associate of the President.
SJB’s Waruna Rajapaksha said the complaint concerns alleged irregularities in the awarding of spot tenders for coal under the current government, adding that the recording suggests individuals involved in the transaction were under pressure from a senior authority. (Newswire)
