News

Coal procurement followed 2023 tender specifications–– Power and Energy Minister

Published

3 months ago

2026/02/5

Power and Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody, on Tuesday, told Parliament that the procurement of coal for Sri Lanka’s power sector has been carried out strictly in accordance with the 2023 tender specifications, dismissing allegations of irregularities and changes to procedures.

“We acted fully in line with the 2023 specifications and the established tender process. There have been no changes to either the tender procedure or the specifications,” the Minister said, responding to concerns raised by Opposition MPs over the quality of coal supplied.

He emphasised that the tender and procurement framework already includes internationally accepted mechanisms to address any special situations that may arise regarding coal quality or supply issues.

“If a special situation emerges concerning the quality of coal, the necessary steps to be taken are clearly provided within the tender and procurement process. We have acted strictly in line with those provisions,” Minister Jayakody stressed.

The Minister also cautioned Opposition members against making, what he described as, “irresponsible and misleading statements” regarding the issue, noting that the dispute resolution mechanisms embedded in the tender process are globally recognised and fully operational.

Taking aim at the previous administration, Minister Jayakody alleged that under the former regime, a company, with close family connections to those in power, had been supplying coal without following a proper tender procedure.

“A company that had close links to the previous regime had been supplying coal by exploiting those relationships, without a formal tender process. This time they also participated in the tender, but failed to secure it,” he said.

He suggested that some of the current criticism was being made on behalf of that same company, which lost out in the transparent procurement process.

Addressing concerns about supply security, the Minister said that Cabinet approval has already been granted for emergency coal purchases if an urgent requirement arises, adding that such purchases would not result in financial losses to the state.

“At present, six coal shipments have arrived at the port. Although there is some variation in the first and third consignments, the remaining shipments meet the required standards,” he told Parliament.

Minister Jayakody reiterated that Sri Lanka’s energy authorities are following due process and maintaining quality standards, and urged political actors to refrain from spreading false information that could undermine public confidence in the energy sector.

“We call on the Opposition to act responsibly and avoid circulating false and misleading information on such a critical national issue,” he said.

By Ifham Nizam

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura

Published

15 mins ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 23.04.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 24.04.2026

Accordingly,

Level 1 landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Rideegama in the Kurunegala district and Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 12.00 noon 23 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 23 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level – PM

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/23

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level. She further stated that all necessary allocations have already been made to Provincial Councils and instructed that the progress of disaster damage assessments and reconstruction efforts be closely monitored at the provincial level.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a discussion held on Tuesday (21) at Temple Trees under her patronage, aimed at informing Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees and public representatives from disaster-affected districts, in order to accelerate the implementation of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. The discussion focused on expediting disaster relief and compensation payments, as well as the swift restoration of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Rs. 500 billion has been allocated for damages caused by the Ditwah cyclone, and that all relevant development activities must be completed before the end of 2026. The Prime Minister also instructed officials to pay special attention to resolving issues at the local level that are causing delays in compensation payments.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponsu, stated that the estimated cost for reconstruction following the Ditwah cyclone is approximately USD 3.4 billion. Accordingly, funds have been allocated for compensation across several sectors including housing and social infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, fisheries, industry and livelihoods, and irrigation. He further noted that 99% of the Rs. 25,000 allowance has already been disbursed, while 95% of the Rs. 50,000 resettlement allowance has been paid. Compensation for fully and partially damaged houses is still ongoing, and 99% of temporary relief centres have been closed.

Additionally, attention was drawn to several other measures, including providing Rs. 25,000 to affected schoolchildren, paying Rs. 1 million as compensation for each deceased individual, compensation for children who lost one or both parents, support for persons with disabilities affected by the disaster, compensation for agricultural losses, and expediting resettlement of displaced families. Measures such as allocating land for new housing construction and accelerating the issuance of reports from the National Building Research Organization were also discussed.

Focus was also placed on the reconstruction of affected schools, hospitals, and daycare centres, improving the accuracy and speed of data collection at the local level, and accelerating infrastructure development.

The event was attended by Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abayarathna, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives R.M. Jayawardena, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Members of Parliament, Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees, Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Additional Secretary to the President Jayantha Bandara; and officials of the Prime Minister’s Office.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]