News

Govt. bends rules, lowers coal standards in favour of errant company: FSP

Published

1 month ago

2026/03/13

Pubudu

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) yesterday accused the government of trying to award another tender to the Indian company that supplied low-grade coal to the Norochcholai Power Plant and failed to deliver the stipulated amount of coal according to schedule.

The allegation was made by the Education Secretary of the Progressive Socialist Party, Pubudu Jayagoda, during media briefing at the party office in Nugegoda last afternoon.

Jayagoda said that in September 2025, the government had awarded a tender to the Indian company Trident Chemphar to supply 25 coal shipments for electricity generation in 2026.

In August 2025, it was confirmed that the coal delivered by the company was substandard. The company also failed to supply coal on schedule. Although the first shipment was expected in the second week of December 2025, it arrived at the end of the month. By mid-March, only 12 ships had arrived, and biweekly deliveries have been disrupted, putting Sri Lanka at risk of a severe energy shortage.

On 11 March, the government called a sudden spot tender for five coal shipments. Four companies submitted bids, and they include Trident Chemphar. FSP criticiced awarding the tender to the same discredited company, saying it was unethical and could trigger a major national crisis, as the company had failed to supply quality coal reliably in the past.

Previously, coal quality was strictly measured, with a “Reject Value”. But now to help the errant supplier the term of Reject Value has now been omitted altogether and replaced with a new term ‘Minimum Value’ setting it as the minimum calorific threshold—coal producing less than 5,900 kilocalories per kilogram was rejected, and coal with ash content above 16% was also discarded.

However, the government is now reportedly lowering these standards, accepting substandard coal, and changing tender specifications to accommodate the company.

Jayagoda castigated the latest stunt coming especially at a time when the world faces war and oil shortages. Diesel meant for electricity generation is being diverted to school buses, public transport, and emergency vehicles, leaving households at risk of prolonged blackouts. Even if diesel is imported, electricity tariffs could skyrocket.

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INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

59 seconds ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

Latest News

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

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, 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

Latest News

Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.