A coal vessel carrying nearly 59,766 metric tons of coal from South Africa has anchored near the Colombo Port amid renewed concerns over compliance with tender specifications.

The Free Lawyers Association stated that the shipment’s ash content reportedly exceeds the limit specified in the tender issued by the Ceylon Coal Company.

Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka, however, noted that the coal stock can still be used for electricity generation at the Norochcholai Power Plant while legal action over the matter is ongoing.