POLONNARUWA Reporter –
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has leveled serious allegations against the government, claiming that the third consecutive shipment of coal imported for the Norochcholai (Lakvijaya) Power Plant is substandard, severely threatening the country’s energy security.
Addressing a media briefing in Polonnaruwa today, FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda revealed that despite government denials, technical data proves the coal supplied by the Indian firm, Trident Chemphar, is of inferior quality.
Evidence in the Numbers: Generation Drops
Jayagoda pointed out that while laboratory reports can be suppressed, the output of the power plant provides undeniable proof. According to a CEB report dated January 21, the electricity generation has significantly dropped due to the poor quality of coal:
- Standard Generation: Usually 270 MW per unit (Total 810 MW).
- Current Generation (3rd Shipment): Only 715 MW total.
- Individual Unit Performance: Units are currently struggling at 240 MW, 239 MW, and 236 MW respectively.
- Design Capacity: Each unit is designed for 300 MW.
“Power expert Vidhura Ralapanawe has clearly highlighted this discrepancy,” Jayagoda stated. “The calorific value is too low, and the ash content is too high. Under the tender agreement, if two shipments fail quality standards, the entire order must be canceled. Why hasn’t this happened yet?”
Allegations of a “Cover-Up”
The FSP official accused the Ministry of Power and Energy of an organized cover-up. He noted that after the government’s own laboratory at Norochcholai and a secondary lab in India both confirmed the first shipment was substandard, the government “arbitrarily suspended” the release of further laboratory reports to the public.
However, Jayagoda noted that a recent report in The Sunday Times suggests the government has finally acknowledged the quality issue, proposing “spot purchases” as a fallback.
“This is too little, too late,” Jayagoda warned.
“The monsoon season begins in April, leaving less than three months to unload the annual requirement. The government’s negligence has pushed us into a corner.”
A “Suspicious” Tender Process
The FSP raised red flags regarding the procurement process and the background of the supplier, Trident Chemphar:
- Strategic Delays: The tender call was delayed by three months, allegedly to allow the specific company to complete its registration.
- Tailored Specifications: Tender specifications were reportedly altered to suit the company’s profile.
- rushed Timelines: The bidding period was slashed from six weeks to three weeks under the guise of an “emergency,” yet the government took six weeks to eventually award the tender.
- Controversial Track Record: The company has previously faced allegations of fraud regarding rice imports for Sathosa, and its owner was reportedly arrested in India on money laundering charges.
Call for Accountability
The FSP is calling for immediate intervention from the President to conduct an impartial investigation into the coal procurement scam.
“The public should not be forced to pay for this misconduct through increased electricity bills,” Jayagoda emphasized. “The losses must be recovered from the officials and politicians responsible. Do not protect the thieves at the expense of the citizens.”