Opposition MP S. M. Marikkar has questioned whether it is necessary to report to the Presidential Commission appointed to probe substandard coal imports, citing a recent statement made publicly by JVP Secretary General Tilvin Silva.

Marikkar played a video to the media in which Silva claimed the Commission would clear the government of allegations within three months.

The MP pointed out that while the President has appointed the Commission for a six‑month duration, Silva is already suggesting that charges will be dismissed in three months.

“Tilvin Silva has already given the verdict. Despite the President appointing the commission for six months, Silva is speaking as if the commission has already delivered its verdict, claiming they will be free of charges in three months,” he said.

Marikkar further noted that Silva has hinted that former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody will be released from all charges related to the coal imports, questioning whether reporting to the Commission is even required.

He added that with time remaining until May 22 to provide information, Silva’s remarks were undermining the credibility of the Commission. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, joined by a group of opposition parliamentarians, declared they will not testify before the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry into substandard coal imports.

Ranawaka said the JVP’s media Unit under Anura Kumara Dissanayake had shared images of opposition MPs, including S.M. Marikkar, Ajith P. Perera, D. V. Chanaka, and himself on social media, urging them to provide evidence. 

Addressing a media briefing held on Tuesday (12), Ranawaka insisted, however, that they had “no reason to appear before that commission.”

“We will not appear before this commission, which is overseen by Tilvin Silva, a person not voted for by the people or a public representative,” Ranawaka said, adding that the Commission already possesses sufficient documentation. (Newswire)

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Preliminary investigations have already commenced into alleged irregularities surrounding coal imports and electricity generation from 2009 to April 16, 2026, the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry announced. 

Issuing a statement, the Commission said that Police officers assigned to the Commission have begun initial inquiries at its newly established office at the Magistrates’ Court Complex, Court Square, Colombo 12.

The Commission was appointed to examine suspected unlawful activities linked to coal imports, power generation, and related operations over the past 17 years.

In a public notice published on April 30, the Commission called on individuals and institutions to provide any information they may have regarding the matter. 

Submissions are requested to be made on or before May 22, 2026. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged irregularities in coal imports and electricity generation in Sri Lanka. 

According to the President’s Office, the commission will examine transactions from the inception of coal‑based power generation in the country up to April 16, 2026, focusing on whether unlawful practices or financial losses occurred through the government‑owned CEB Lanka Coal Company, its subsidiaries, or private suppliers.

The commission is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gihan Kulatunga, with Court of Appeal Justice Adithya Patabendige and High Court Justice Sanjeewa Somaratne serving as members. Former Ministry Secretary P.V. Bandulasena has been appointed as Secretary.

Its mandate includes reviewing procurement, supply, quality testing, operations, and utilization processes to determine whether substandard coal was imported, whether electricity generation met expected efficiency levels, and whether contractual violations or unethical practices caused losses to the state. 

The commission is also tasked with identifying political authorities, officials, company representatives, and suppliers responsible for any wrongdoing, and recommending corrective measures to prevent future irregularities.

The President’s Office has announced that the commission will additionally report on any other misconduct linked to coal imports and power generation, ensuring accountability and proposing safeguards for the future. (Newswire)

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The Auditor General’s report on coal imports was presented to Parliament on Tuesday (07). 

Leader of the House Minister Bimal Ratnayake tabled the report at the commencement of proceedings. 

At the same time, Opposition MPs lodged a complaint with Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne that the report had not been distributed to Members of Parliament. The Speaker responded that it was the Secretariat’s responsibility to provide the report to MPs.

The special audit report, requested by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), examines the coal purchasing process by Lanka Coal Company for the Lakvijaya Power Plant and procurement for the 2025/2026 season. The Auditor General revealed that the laboratory issuing reports at the loading port for the controversial supplier Trident Company had its license cancelled.

The report further disclosed that at the time advertisements were published calling for tenders, Trident Company had not completed its registration, yet it was awarded the tender. Three other suppliers who had not confirmed registration were also allowed to submit bids.

Coal purchased for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant is tested at both loading and unloading ports. At the loading port, Mitra SK South Africa was appointed, but lacking accreditation, the task was handed to PT Mitra SK Analisa Testama Samarinda, an Indonesian company whose license had been cancelled as of December 29, 2025. The audit did not confirm whether the license was renewed by March 31, 2026. All 12 shipment reports issued at the loading port were found to lack accreditation.

The report also noted discrepancies between loading port reports and data from the plant’s main control unit, with Lanka Coal Company failing to use available alternatives to verify the reports. It highlighted that between November 13 and December 30, 2025, no coal shipments were brought to Sri Lanka despite the need for maximum procurement during that period.

Due to insufficient shipments, an emergency procurement was made on March 18 this year, selecting Taranjot Resource Pvt Ltd. The Auditor General revealed that this company had failed within the past 36 months to supply coal with the required calorific value of 5,900 kcal or above to the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant.

The report warns that failure to import coal on time and reliance on suppliers with questionable standards could adversely affect the continuous supply of electricity at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant. 

The Auditor General’s Report : https://www.newswire.lk/pdf/auditor_general_report_coal_imports.pdf (Newswire)

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