Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa today commented on the situation arising from the importation of coal, where a consignment was deemed substandard.
He made these remarks at the weekly Cabinet media briefing in response to a journalist’s question on whether the government had incurred losses due to the disputed coal consignments.
The Minister said similar incidents had occurred in previous years as well, noting that fines had been recovered from the relevant supplier companies in such cases.
Providing further clarification, Minister Jayatissa said, “The first shipment, amounting to 60,000 metric tonnes, faced this issue. Sample tests showed a calorific value of 5,520 kilocalories. Accordingly, a penalty amounting to double the prescribed fine will be imposed on the supplier.”
He added, “The second shipment recorded a calorific value of 6,017 kilocalories, which falls within the acceptable range of 5,900 to 6,150.”
Referring to the remaining consignments, the Minister said, “The third and fourth shipments are currently being unloaded, and a decision will be taken after sample testing is completed.”
Highlighting past instances, Minister Jayatissa said, “Several such incidents have been reported in the past. During the 2020–2021 period, fines amounting to USD 7.54 million were recovered. Between 2021 and 2022, penalties of USD 6.1 million were imposed, while in 2022–2023, fines totaling USD 7.8 million were collected.”
Emphasizing established procedures, he said, “Whenever coal imports fail to meet required standards, penalties are imposed, and if the coal is deemed unfit for use, it is removed. This is not an unusual occurrence.”
He further explained, “If test reports at the port of loading confirm compliance with standards, but issues are identified after unloading in Sri Lanka, penalties are imposed accordingly. Such penalties were enforced in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 due to certain substandard shipments.”
Clarifying concerns over multiple imports, Minister Jayatissa said, “This does not mean that all shipments are problematic. Only some consignments have issues, and there is an established procedure agreed upon by coal supplying companies to address such situations.” (NewsWire)