The ceremonial commencement of construction work on a new Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory building took place at the Hambantota District General Hospital on 15 Jan 26.

Navy headquarters statement: “Marking a significant milestone in its social service and community health initiatives, the Sri Lanka Navy enables its industrial expertise for this project. Further, the generous financial contribution of a philanthropic Sri Lankan couple residing in the United States supports this vital initiative.

The Deputy Area Commander (South), Commodore Aruna Weerasinghe, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, staff of Hambantota District General Hospital and a group of naval personnel were present on this occasion.”

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed Sri Lanka on this morning  (19 January) to participate in the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), to be held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 19 to 23 January 2026.

The World Economic Forum 2026 will be convened under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue” and will bring together over 3,000 global leaders, including heads of state, government leaders, chief executive officers of leading multinational corporations, policymakers, and technology innovators.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key international leaders, heads of global institutions, and other distinguished dignitaries.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

The government is under mounting pressure to release a foreign laboratory report on the controversial coal consignment imported for the Lakvijaya Power Plant, with the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) accusing the authorities of political interference and tender manipulation.

Speaking to the media after a party meeting in Homagama yesterday, FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jagoda demanded an immediate explanation for the delay in disclosing the report from a Dutch laboratory, Cotecna, which was commissioned to test samples of the coal stocks in question after doubts were raised about an earlier local laboratory assessment. Jagoda said Cabinet media spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa had announced that the report would be submitted by 16 January, but it had yet to be made public.

“The Sri Lankan lab confirmed the coal was substandard and could damage both the environment and power plant machinery. The foreign lab has independently verified the same results, we are told. Yet, political pressure appears to be delaying the release of the report.” He warned that any attempt to issue a false report would eventually be exposed and urged the government and the laboratory to maintain transparency.

SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka told Parliament last week that while 107 metric tonnes of coal were normally required per hour to generate 300 megawatts, but as many as 120 tonnes of newly imported coal were needed to produce the same amount of power due to its lower calorific value. Tests showed the first two shipments had calorific values of 5,600–5,800 kcal/kg, below the required minimum of 5,900 kcal/kg, said.

Jagoda accused the government of tailoring procurement rules to benefit an Indian supplier, citing a drastic reduction in reserve requirements—from one million metric tonnes in 2021 to just 100,000 tonnes in 2025—and alleged previous irregularities by the company, including a 2016 Auditor General finding regarding a rice supply contract and the 2019 suspension of a key agent of the company by the International Cricket Council over match-fixing.

He further criticised systemic manipulation of the coal tender process, including delays in issuing the tender from the usual February-March window to July, and progressively shortening the submission period from six weeks to three, giving an advantage to suppliers with stock on hand.

The Ministry of Energy recently issued an amended tender for 4.5 million metric tonnes of coal for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 periods, following the cancellation of an earlier tender. Jagoda warned that procurement delays and irregularities could trigger coal shortages, higher spot-market purchases, increased electricity costs, and potential power cuts if hydropower falls short.

Jagoda called for urgent investigations into the procurement process, insisting that any mismanagement or corruption should not be passed on to the public.Denying any wrongdoing, the government has said it is waiting for the lab report.

by Saman Indrajith ✍️