The Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating coal procurement will begin recording statements from government officials on Tuesday, May 5, opening a new phase of the probe that has so far focused on documentary collection and public submissions.
Commission Secretary P.V. Bandulasena said statements will be obtained through the Energy Ministry from officials at institutions including the Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd, which manages the country’s coal procurement contracts on behalf of the Ceylon Electricity Board.
The commission, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gihan Kulatunga with Court of Appeal Justice Aditya Patabendige and High Court Judge Sanjeewa Somaratne as members, is examining all coal purchases since 2009 — the year coal-fired generation began at the Norochcholai power station.
In parallel, the commission has opened a public submissions window through which any member of the public can write or post information on coal transactions to the commission office on the 5th Floor of the Hulftsdorp Court Complex, Sanchi Arachchi Watta, Court Road, Colombo 12. Information can also be sent by email to [email protected], with telephone inquiries on 0112 66 77 96.
The shift to recording official testimony marks the first time individual public servants will be formally questioned under oath by the commission. The Criminal Investigation Department has already seized procurement files and sealed the Lanka Coal Company office as part of a parallel criminal investigation into procurement irregularities.
Earlier accountability tracks include the COPF Auditor General report flagging Rs. 2.24 billion in efficiency losses tied to substandard coal, and Joint Opposition allegations that a contractor was unregistered at the time of tender signing. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and his ministry secretary resigned over the probe on April 17.
Source: NewsFirst
