- SLAB notes absence of mandatory accreditation
- No SLSI facilities for coal testing
- Would require substantial investment
- Talks underway to strengthen regulatory framework
In the wake of the severe impact caused by substandard coal consignments on the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai and the resulting losses exceeding billions of rupees, the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) noted that discussions have commenced with State and Government authorities on the need to introduce accreditation for coal testing laboratories and at related regulatory facilities.
According to sources, talks are currently being held with several line Ministries on strengthening the regulatory framework governing coal quality testing in the country.
Meanwhile, when contacted by The Daily Morning, Acting Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SLAB, Chanditha Ediriweera said yesterday (16) that at present, there is no mandatory requirement in Sri Lanka for accreditation.
This requirement pertains to laboratories conducting tests including coal testing. Ediriweera indicated that accreditation requirements could become mandatory in the future, in a bid to enhance standards and ensure reliability in energy-related testing processes.
“If coal testing labs seek accreditation, the SLAB is ready to prioritise assistance, mainly as a national and regulatory requirement. The SLAB has already initiated discussions with the line Ministry (Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Ministry under which the SLAB comes) for this process. Accreditation is a voluntary process. It becomes mandatory if a regulation requiring it exists. The Ministry is also aware of the importance of accreditation,” she elaborated.
Deputy Trade Minister R.M. Jayawardhana was unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the special audit report on the controversial coal consignments, the Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), Sunanda Fernando said that his establishment currently lacked the facilities to carry out coal testing, and that therefore, such testing is not conducted by it at present.
Fernando noted yesterday the Institution could establish its own coal testing facilities in the future. However, he noted that it would require substantial investment in specialised equipment and would depend on a clearly defined national need for such a facility.
He noted that in Sri Lanka, laboratory accreditation is handled by the SLAB, which is responsible for accrediting local laboratories. Similarly, other countries maintain their own accreditation bodies. Fernando noted they are not aware of the specific origin of the laboratory that conducted the coal testing in question, but stated that it may have been accredited by a recognised foreign accreditation body. He further pointed out that it is not mandatory to obtain accreditation solely from the SLAB, as laboratories can also obtain accreditation from foreign bodies.
Fernando said that according to the available reports, the coal consignment in question had been tested using internationally recognised methods such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (International) or International Organisation for Standardisation standards.
He further noted that he is unaware as to whether the coal in question had been tested after arriving in Sri Lanka (unloading port), adding that such requirements would typically be outlined in the tender documents handled by the Ceylon Electricity Board.
While coal is meant to be tested at both ends of its journey, the said audit found that the Indonesian laboratory used at the loading port, PT Mitra SK Analisa Testama Samarinda, had its licence revoked on 29 December of last year (2025). There is no evidence that the licence was renewed by the end of March, yet, 12 shipments were certified through this arrangement. Discrepancies were also found between the laboratory reports and the actual performance data at the Lakvijaya Plant, the Lanka Coal Company had failed to use its available systems to verify these inconsistencies.