The Energy Ministry yesterday (24) appointed a seven-member expert committee to evaluate the current methodology used in supplying coal to the Lakvijaya Power Plant, amid controversy over recent shipments.
The committee will be chaired by Prof. W.D.A.S. Rodrigo of the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa. Other members include Dr. N.A.I.D. Nissanka and Dr. I.U. Attanayake of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa; Dr. R.M.D.S. Gunaratne of the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa; Dr. Udith Wijewardhane of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; and Dr. Geethal Siriwardhane of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
K.L.R.C. Wijayasinghe, Additional Secretary (Power and Power Sector Restructuring Division) of the Energy Ministry, will serve as the convener.
The committee has been tasked with investigating technical discrepancies in coal testing and calculating any associated losses. It will also review technical issues identified in reports and determine whether discrepancies occurred during shipment or handling, ensuring that appropriate penalties are imposed where necessary.
Addressing the Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Cabinet Spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said coal shipments are inspected at the loading port by accredited laboratories.
“Coal with a calorific value above 5,900 kilocalories per kilogram (kcal/kg) is accepted, while shipments below the threshold are rejected. For coal measuring between 5,900 and 6,100 kcal/kg, a penalty is applied according to the established procedures,” he said.
He noted that 10 ships have arrived so far, eight of which have been fully unloaded. Reports on six of these shipments indicate that penalties were imposed where the calorific value did not meet the required standard.
According to Dr. Jayatissa, the first shipment of 59,831 metric tonnes incurred a penalty of United States Dollars (USD) 2.07 million. Subsequent penalties amounted to USD 436,001 for the second shipment, USD 484,929 for the third, USD 345,652 for the fourth, USD 500,192 for the fifth, and USD 510,677 for the sixth.
He emphasised that the procurement process is transparent and free of irregularities, adding that previous coal imports had not been subjected to such systematic testing.
