The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided to launch an investigation into allegations linked to the controversial coal procurement process for the Lakvijaya Power Plant. The Commission has informed the Citizens’ Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste organisation of the decision following a complaint lodged by the organisation’s President, Kamantha Thushara.
According to observations contained in a recent Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) report reviewed by The Daily Morning, recently imported coal supplied to the Lakvijaya Power Plant had resulted in lower power generation capacity, increased coal consumption, higher emissions, and several operational issues.
The report notes that the plant did not operate at full capacity when using nine coal shipments received from the current supplier between December 2025 and February 2026. Under the previous supplier, each unit had recorded an average gross generation capacity of 300 MW. However, generation output under the present supplier had dropped across all three units.
The Commission also observed a rise in coal consumption rates, with plant data showing that more coal had to be burned per hour compared to coal supplied previously. Specific coal consumption measured in grams per kilowatt-hour had also increased, indicating reduced operational efficiency.
According to the report, comparisons of Gross Calorific Value data had raised additional concerns, as plant performance figures were found to be much closer to laboratory test results conducted at the Lakvijaya plant than to values declared in load port and discharge port reports.
The controversy had earlier prompted the main parliamentary opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to submit a no-confidence motion against former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, although the motion was later defeated in Parliament.
However, Former Energy Ministry Secretary Prof Udayanga Hemapala and Jayakody later stepped down from their positions, stating that the decision was taken to facilitate an independent inquiry.