The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) yesterday (18) alleged that three coal shipments imported to the country contained coal with calorific values below the required standards, citing findings from a report issued by the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant, Norochcholai.
Addressing a media briefing held in Colombo, the ECA’s National Secretary Sanjeeva Dhammika said the report had clearly indicated that nearly 180,000 metric tonnes of coal delivered through the three vessels failed to meet the specified calorific value range of 5,900 to 6,100 kc per kg.
“According to the Plant’s own report, the calorific value of the coal in these shipments was below the accepted threshold. This reveals that all three vessels carried coal that did not comply with the required quality standards,” Dhammika said.
He stressed the rising electricity tariffs could not be blamed on the public and warned that serious concerns had now emerged regarding coal procurement and the broader electricity reform process. “The burden of increasing electricity bills is not due to any fault of the people. There is a growing suspicion about how coal transactions are being handled and how reforms in the power sector are progressing,” he added.
Dhammika further alleged the Government had sought to mislead the public by claiming that substantial penalties had been imposed to offset losses resulting from substandard coal. “There has been an attempt to create the impression that losses caused by inferior coal were recovered through large fines. This narrative risks misleading the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, ECA Chairperson M.D.R. Athula claimed that the procurement timeline for coal tenders had been altered in a manner that favoured suppliers.
“The changes to the procurement period appear to have been made to revise the conditions in ways beneficial to the suppliers. This raises serious questions about transparency,” Athula asserted. He described the alleged coal-related irregularities as a matter of grave national concern, stating that the scale of the issue exceeded even previous high-profile financial scandals.
“This is a fraud of a magnitude greater than the Treasury Bonds scams. The financial impact of such actions should not be passed on to electricity consumers through higher tariffs,” he said. Athula urged the authorities to ensure that any losses arising from substandard coal were recovered from the responsible parties rather than transferred to the public. “The Government must not allow these losses to be added to the consumers’ bills. Those accountable must bear the cost,” he emphasised.
Athula also expressed concern over reported plans to introduce a separate tax for street lighting and to withdraw concessions granted to low-income groups after one year. “Proposals such as imposing a separate levy for street lighting and removing relief measures for low-income households after a year will further strain the public,” he warned.
The Association called on the Government to clarify the issues raised and ensure accountability in coal procurement and power sector decision-making.
Attempts to contact the Energy Ministry Secretary and the Acting Ceylon Electricity Board Chairperson Prof. Udayanga Hemapala proved futile.