The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the procurement of coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant to meet requirements for the 2026/2027 period.

At its meeting on March 30, 2026, the Cabinet granted approval to secure 2.28 million metric tons of coal, ensuring uninterrupted supply and safeguarding national energy security. 

The National Procurement Commission authorized the selection of two suppliers following an international competitive bidding process, which attracted nine bids.

Based on recommendations from the High‑Level Standing Procurement Committee, the Cabinet endorsed the Minister of Power’s proposal to award contracts as follows:

• Aditya Birla Global Trading Singapore Pte. Ltd. – 70% share, amounting to 1.596 million metric tons
• Mohit Minerals Limited (India) – 30% share, amounting to 0.684 million metric tons

The move is expected to stabilize coal supplies for the Norochcholai plant and reinforce Sri Lanka’s energy security strategy. (Newswire) 

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Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has appointed a subcommittee to investigate environmental concerns linked to the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant and submit recommendations.

The subcommittee will be chaired by Parliament Member (MP) Bhagya Sri Herath and was appointed during a recent committee meeting chaired by MP Hector Appuhamy.

The decision followed extensive discussions involving officials from the Environment, Power and Energy, and Health and Mass Media ministries, along with representatives from several other institutions.

Discussions focused on the environmental impact of the power plant’s operations, accountability of responsible parties and whether there had been shortcomings by relevant institutions.

The committee also said it plans to seek discussions with the embassies of Germany, Japan and China, as well as the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, to explore training opportunities for local officials on modern technologies used in overseas power plants. (Newswire)

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The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has raised concerns that recent coal consignments suspected to be of inferior quality may contain elevated mercury levels, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.

According to The Island newspaper, Chairperson of CEJ, environmental scientist Hemantha Withanage, environmentalists have cautioned that Sri Lanka still lacks binding standards on mercury content in imported coal, leaving communities near the Norochcholai coal power plant vulnerable to contamination.

“International studies show that mercury content in coal can vary significantly. For example, research on South African coal indicates a range between 0.01 and 0.49 ppm. However, Sri Lanka has still not established a maximum permissible mercury level for imported coal,” Withanage noted.

He explained that while the environmental protection licence for the Norochcholai plant allows mercury emissions of up to 0.01 mg/Nm³, regulating emissions alone is inadequate without controlling mercury levels at the source.

The CEJ believes mercury released during coal combustion at Norochcholai may enter the marine environment, eventually accumulating in fish consumed by local communities. 

“A 2018 CEJ study conducted in the Kalpitiya peninsula, near Puttalam, found alarming levels of mercury exposure among women of childbearing age.  According to the study, 28 out of 36 women, approximately 77%, had mercury levels in hair samples exceeding the internationally accepted safety threshold of 1 ppm. The most disturbing finding was a recorded level of 15.584 ppm in one individual. These women were regular consumers of fish from the Puttalam lagoon, suggesting a bioaccumulation pathway,” Withanage explained. 

He warned that mercury, a potent neurotoxin, can transform into methylmercury and enter the food chain, disproportionately affecting coastal and fishing populations.

Environmentalists are now urging urgent action, including the introduction of national standards for mercury content in imported coal, mandatory independent testing of all coal consignments, and comprehensive health assessments of communities living near the power plant. (Newswire)

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The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has instructed officials to immediately prepare a plan for the environmentally friendly disposal of ash emitted from the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant.

According to a Parliament statement, these instructions were given at a meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on March 17, under the chairmanship of MP Hector Appuhamy.

It was revealed during the meeting that, due to issues related to the quality of coal imported to Sri Lanka for power generation, the volume of ash emitted during electricity generation has increased significantly. 

The Committee noted that if this ash is not properly disposed of, there is a risk of future environmental damage. Accordingly, officials were directed to formulate a plan under the leadership of the District Secretary of the Puttalam District to take the necessary measures.

It was also proposed that the possibility of reusing the removed ash for production purposes be studied, and that any revenue generated from such products be utilized for welfare projects benefiting the communities affected by the power plant.

In addition, the Committee instructed the Central Environmental Authority to submit a comprehensive report on whether water and air pollution have occurred as a result of the Norochcholai Power Plant. 

Furthermore, the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority was also recommended to respond within two weeks regarding the questionnaire and related matters submitted by the Committee in connection with the Norochcholai Power Plant.

Officials of the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority stated that although the volume of ash emitted from the plant has increased, the filtration system in use at the plant is sufficient to absorb these particles. Several matters, including the issuance of environmental protection licenses for the power plant, were discussed in detail.

The meeting was attended by Committee Members, Hon. Members of Parliament Kings Nelson, Roshan Akmeemana, Attorney-at-Law Chithral Fernando, Susantha Kumara Navaratne, Kitnan Selvaraj and Upul Kithsiri. (Newswire)

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A group of Opposition MPs have joined a Parliamentary delegation to inspect the controversial coal consignment that recently arrived at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.

In a video message, opposition MP Ajith P. Perera said that the team has arrived at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant on a fact-finding mission related to the controversial coal consignment. 

“There is an issue regarding the quality of the imported coal. Several issues stem from this substandard coal consignment, such as a reduction in the power generated and damage to the machinery, among others. The government has also acknowledged the issue. This is a serious issue as it relates to the security of the energy sector,” he said. 

MP Ajith P. Perera further said that the substandard coal has been imported due to alleged changes made to the importation conditions, adding that it was evident that regulations had been broken. 

Meanwhile, matters relating to coal imported to Sri Lanka for electricity generation were examined at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.

According to a Parliament statement, this review took place when the Committee met in Parliament recently under the Chairmanship of MP S. M. Marikkar. Officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited were summoned to attend the Committee meeting.

During the meeting, the Committee sought clarifications from officials regarding the procedures followed in the coal importation process. Particular attention was paid to the procedures adopted during the most recent coal imports, and officials were questioned in detail on this matter.

The Chairman of the Committee inquired whether any issues had arisen concerning the quality of the coal most recently imported into the country. In response, officials informed the Committee that samples from three coal vessels that arrived in Sri Lanka had been sent to India for quality testing, and that accurate information could be provided once the relevant reports were received.

Accordingly, the matter was discussed at length during the Committee proceedings. The Chairman stated that the former Chairman of Lanka Coal (Private) Limited, who was involved in the processes related to the importation of these coal consignments, would be summoned before the Committee at its next meeting.

In addition, the Chairman instructed officials to submit to the Committee, on the same day of the next meeting, the quality reports of the coal in the three vessels that arrived in Sri Lanka, as well as the laboratory reports conducted in Sri Lanka on the quality of coal contained in the most recently arrived vessel. (Newswire)

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Investigations have been launched into the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Norochcholai Police Station, accused of having links with drug traffickers.

The investigations come after several audio clips of the OIC conversing with various alleged drug lords were made public recently. 

Addressing the Parliament this week, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera said a probe will be conducted into the matter, after which necessary actions will be taken.

Speaking to the media recently, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been informed of the matter.

ASP Wootler further said that an investigation has been launched into the Norochcholai OIC on the directive of the IGP. (Newswire)

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The Police have sought public assistance to apprehend two wanted suspects involved in the robbery of a house in Norochcholai.

The Police said the suspects had broken into a house in the Nawakkaduwa area and stolen gold jewellery and property after threatening the residents. 

The stolen gold jewellery and properties have been valued at Rs. 15,232,000. 

Those with information on the suspects have been requested to contact the Police via 071 – 8591289 / 071 – 8591301 /  071 – 8592126. (NewsWire)

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A 30-year-old man is reported dead after being assaulted with iron rods and being hacked to death with a sharp object in the Nirmalapura area in Daluwa, Norochcholai.

The Police said that the victim, who is a father of two and a resident of Nirmalapura, is reported to have been killed early this morning.

He is employed as a daily wage worker at a vegetable farm in the Daluwa area.

Investigations have revealed that the victim who had participated in a cricket match at the Daluwa Cricket Grounds last evening had engaged in an argument with another player resulting in a clash.

He is reported to have gone close to the main suspect’s house following the clash after which the suspect and his son had assaulted and hacked to death the victim.

Investigations have revealed that the victim plays cricket with a group of people every Sunday at the Daluw Cricket Grounds, while it has also been revealed that the victim was addicted to alcohol.

The Police stated that it has also been found that the main suspect involved in the murder is also heavily addicted to alcohol.

The wife and relatives of the victim have revealed that the main suspect has previously assaulted and injured people with sharp weapons and had recently returned from prison.

The Police stated that the suspect and his son have fled the area following the murder and the Norochcholai Police have launched investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)

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