• Acknowledge concerns raised on sulphur composition  
• Environment Minister notes need to discuss with CEA 

The Environment Ministry stated that if the use of substandard coal has caused any environmental impact, the relevant authorities would take necessary action, noting that concerns have however been raised particularly about its sulphur composition.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody said the most significant concern relates to the sulphur composition of the coal in question. “If an environmental impact arises from this, appropriate measures will be taken. It needs to be discussed with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA),” he said.

The remarks come amid criticism over the use of coal that failed to meet the required standards at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai and questions about its potential impact on the surrounding communities and ecosystems.

Although the Government has stated that compensation would be sought from the supplier, the Electricity Consumers’ Association’s General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika questioned recently as to who would be held responsible for the environmental damage caused by the use of substandard coal. He said that compensation should be paid to people living in the areas around the Norochcholai Plant. “Ash released from the boilers can pose serious health risks, especially during rainy weather, and can also damage vegetation in the nearby areas,” he said.

He also called for all internal reports related to the coal quality at the said Power Plant, including reports on the samples sent to India, to be tabled in the Parliament and made public. He urged the President to remove the Energy Minister, engineer Kumara Jayakody, warning that the failure to do so could allow the truth to be concealed due to political influence.

Multiple attempts to contact the Energy Ministry Secretary and the Acting Ceylon Electricity Board Chairperson, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala for comment were unsuccessful.