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Substandard coal deepens energy crisis, warns former CEB Chief

Published

1 month ago

2026/03/23

The ongoing controversy surrounding the importation of substandard coal to the Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) Coal Power Plant has spiralled into a full-blown national energy crisis, with severe technical disruptions, mounting financial losses, and growing fears of widespread power outages, a former General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board has warned.

Speaking with authority shaped by decades of experience, the retired electrical engineer did not mince his words: “This is not a routine operational issue. This is a systemic failure that is now threatening energy security.”

At the heart of the crisis lies the compromised quality of coal supplied to the Lakvijaya plant, the country’s largest coal-fired power station.

According to the former CEB chief, the plant’s generation capacity has dropped sharply due to coal that fails to meet the required Gross Calorific Value (GCV) of 5,900 kcal/kg.

“Generation losses in the range of 80 to nearly 180 megawatts are not minor fluctuations. They represent a serious erosion of base-load capacity at a time when demand is steadily rising,” he said.

The technical consequences have been immediate and severe. Coal mills—critical components in pulverising coal for combustion—have reportedly clogged due to high ash content and poor grindability, particularly in Unit 3.

Engineers have been forced to resort to diesel-fired burner guns to stabilise boiler operations, a move the former GM described as “a costly and inefficient emergency measure.”

“Diesel is not meant to be a fallback for sustained operations. It is a last resort. When you start relying on it regularly, you are effectively admitting that the system is failing,” he added.

Beyond immediate disruptions, the long-term risks to infrastructure are deeply concerning. Substandard coal increases the likelihood of slagging and fouling within boilers, potentially leading to overheating and irreversible damage.

“You are not just losing power generation today—you are shortening the lifespan of multi-billion-rupee assets,” he warned.

The financial fallout has been equally staggering. Internal estimates from the CEB and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka suggest that losses from multiple coal shipments range between Rs. 7.5 billion and Rs. 8.5 billion.

Compounding the crisis is the cost of replacement power. With the coal plant unable to operate at full capacity, authorities have increasingly turned to diesel-based emergency generation.

“The economics are brutal,” the former GM explained. “A unit of electricity from coal costs roughly Rs. 20 to 25. Diesel generation can go up to Rs. 60 or even Rs. 75. That gap translates into tens of millions of rupees in additional daily expenditure.”

He estimated that the country is incurring an extra burden of over Rs. 50 million per day due to this forced shift—costs that ultimately fall on the public.

Even more troubling, he noted, is that contractual penalties imposed on suppliers are insufficient to offset the losses.

“The recoverable penalties are nowhere near the actual damage. There is a gap of nearly Rs. 2 billion, which means the taxpayer is left footing the bill,” he said.

The environmental implications of the crisis add another layer of urgency. One shipment reportedly contained ash levels as high as 21 percent—almost double the acceptable standard.

“This means thousands of tonnes of additional waste. Where is it going? How is it being managed?” the former GM questioned.

Worse still, when diesel burners are used to stabilise boilers, Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs)—designed to capture harmful fly ash—must be temporarily shut down. This results in the release of toxic particulates into the atmosphere.

“You are talking about emissions containing mercury, arsenic, and lead. These are not abstract risks. They have direct consequences for public health, particularly for communities living around Norochcholai,” he stressed.

The crisis has also exposed serious lapses in procurement and governance. The former GM pointed to the reduction of procurement timelines from 42 days to just 21 days, as well as the lowering of supplier eligibility thresholds.

“These are not procedural tweaks—they fundamentally alter the integrity of the procurement process,” he said, adding that such changes may have limited competition and allowed less experienced suppliers into the system.

He also raised concerns over reports that coal had been fed directly into boilers before independent quality verification.

“If true, that is a dangerous precedent. Quality assurance exists for a reason. Bypassing it undermines operational safety and accountability,” he noted, while acknowledging the CEB’s position that direct feeding was intended to avoid double handling.

Looking ahead, the timing of the crisis could not be worse. With the southwest monsoon approaching, experts fear that delays in procurement or the rejection of substandard shipments could push fresh imports into a period when rough seas make unloading at Norochcholai extremely difficult.

“If shipments are delayed into the monsoon window, you are staring at a real risk of supply disruptions. That is when load shedding becomes unavoidable,” the former GM warned.

He called for immediate corrective measures, including stricter quality enforcement, transparent procurement practices, and accountability at all levels.

“This is a preventable crisis. But it requires decisive action. Otherwise, we are heading towards a situation where technical failure, financial loss, and environmental damage converge into a national emergency,” he said.

By Ifham Nizam

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Food Security is vital to ensuring a Nation’s Sovereignty and National Security – Prime Minister

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/30

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, in the face of the turbulent global environment prevailing today, agriculture is confronting significant challenges, and that food security is a crucial factor affecting a country’s stability, sovereignty, and national security.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on 28 of April at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla, while addressing the National Youth Agripreneur Showvase and B2B connect Conference organised under the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnership Programme (SAPP), funded jointly by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sri Lanka. The programme aims to empower rural youth to engage in agribusiness ventures.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister further stated:

“I commend the organisers for successfully conducting this event despite the various challenges faced by the country.

You are playing an important role in both the agricultural sector and the national economy. I am happy to witness talented agri-entrepreneurs such as yourselves.

Food security, founded on agriculture, directly impacts a nation’s national security. Concepts such as ’Grow and Sell’ contribute significantly to strengthening the production economy.

During the COVID crisis, as well as amidst the current conflicts in the Middle East, it has become evident that if countries lack food security, their economies become vulnerable. Even a minor decision taken by leaders can disrupt supply chains.

Climate change also poses serious challenges to agriculture. When climatic and environmental conditions become difficult to predict, agriculture itself is threatened. In such a context, your contribution as agri-entrepreneurs goes beyond earning an income. It is also a direct contribution to the nation’s food security and, consequently, to national security. Your talents and innovations are important not only to yourselves, but to the people of the country as a whole”.

The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude for the support extended by institutions such as IFAD and SAPP, and conveyed best wishes to the country’s creative entrepreneurial youth.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha; Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe; Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe; Additional Secretary of the Ministry Lathisha Priyanthi; Director of SAPP Sunimal Chandrasiri; and several other distinguished guests.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Explanation sought from AKD on ‘Russian energy supplies’

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

Wasantha

The National Patriotic Front (NPF) has said the NPP government owes the public an explanation regarding the status of negotiations with Russia to secure energy supplies.

NPF General Secretary Dr. Wasantha Bandara said that Sri Lanka was in such a desperate situation, the current dispensation couldn’t, under any circumstances, miss the opportunity to reach consensus with Russia in this regard.

Dr. Bandara was responding to The Island query in the wake of the NPF, in a letter, dated 27 April, warning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the catastrophic consequences for the country if it failed to obtain energy supplies on affordable terms.

Alleging that various interested parties, within the government, and the Western diplomatic community, hindered the successful conclusion of an agreement/agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia, Dr. Bandara pointed out that those in authority seemed to have conveniently forgotten that Sri Lanka received two Russian delegations. In late March and early April 2026, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, visited Colombo where the focus was on long-term fuel supplies, investment, and tourism.

Dr. Bandara said that Anura Karunatilleke, who succeeded Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, embroiled in the coal scam, was yet to meet the Russian Ambassador in Colombo Levan Dzhagaryan, who wants to explore ways and means of expediting the process. Instead,

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick meets Energy Minister
Karunatilleke and Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Janaka Ruwan Kodithuwakku

Karunatilleke and Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Janaka Ruwan Kodithuwakku recently met British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, Dr Bandara said. Referring to BHC post that they discussed how Sri Lanka could maximise its ports and airports, including through existing and new UK partnerships, alongside UK support for green energy, particularly offshore wind, Dr. Bandara emphasised that the UK and EU struggling to meet their own energy demands couldn’t help Sri Lanka.

In the NPF letter to President Dissanayake, Dr. Bandara alleged that Sri Lanka could secure a barrel of Russian crude for USD 150 to 160 whereas procurement through India cost a lot more. The NPF emphasised the responsibility on the part of the NPP government to maintain close relations with China, Russia and Iran, Sri Lanka’s long-time friends.

The NPF has urged President Dissanayake to intervene without further delay to ensure national interest in this matter is given utmost importance.

Dr. Bandara pointed out that those in charge of coal procurement told a parliamentary committee how the trouble started after Sri Lanka moved from Russian coal to South African products through disgraced Indian firm Trident Chemphar Ltd. Dr. Bandara asserted that political parties, represented in Parliament, should take up this matter vigorously and shouldn’t be distracted by vile NPP strategies.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

US reiterates its commitment to enhancing relations with Northern Sri Lanka

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka, on April 26, celebrated the 15th anniversary of American Corner Jaffna (ACJ), highlighting its longstanding role in connecting communities in Northern Sri Lanka with the United States through programmes focused on education, innovation, and American values. The Embassy also inaugurated the new “Freedom 250 Pavilion,” part of the global Freedom 250 initiative commemorating 250 years of American independence, the Embassy said in a press release issued yesterday (27)

Speaking at the event, US Embassy Public Affairs Officer Menaka Nayyar said: “American Corner Jaffna reflects the United States’ commitment to sharing American values, culture, and ideas with the people of Northern Sri Lanka. On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate 250 years of independence—a milestone that highlights our founding ideals and partnerships around the world, including here in Jaffna. Through the new Freedom 250 Pavilion and our programs, we invite the community to engage with the United States and learn more about our history, society, and innovation.”

In 2025 alone, ACJ hosted nearly 400 programmes, reaching more than 10,000 participants. Located at No. 23, Athiyady Road, Nallur, Jaffna, American Corner Jaffna provides free access to resources on the United States, English language learning, educational advising, and skills-based programming.

Established in 2011, in partnership with the Jaffna Social Action Centre, American Corner Jaffna was created as a platform for direct engagement with local communities—offering opportunities to learn about the United States while building skills in critical thinking, leadership, and innovation.

Launched in the post-conflict period, the Corner has played a key role in connecting emerging leaders in Northern Sri Lanka with ideas, resources, and opportunities rooted in American experience and perspectives. The Freedom 250 Pavilion expands ACJ’s capacity to host interactive programmes and community events, reinforcing the Corner’s role as a dynamic space for collaboration, dialogue, and learning.

Individuals can take part in free programmes by visiting American Corner Jaffna in person, contacting the Corner at 021 222 0665 or via email at info@americancornerjaffna.com, and following American Corner Jaffna on Facebook (facebook.com/amcornerjaffna) for the latest updates on events, registration, and membership opportunities.