SLPP Parliamentarian D.V. Chanaka has accused Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody of attempting to suppress a report on substandard coal imports to the Norochcholai (Lakvijaya) Power Plant — a scandal the MP says is directly responsible for the country’s ongoing power crisis.
Chanaka alleges the minister has been present at the facility for several days specifically to conceal the findings of an initial report issued in January documenting coal-related irregularities. The report is believed to detail quality problems with coal imported by Trident Chefar Ltd, the supplier at the centre of the controversy.
“This coal issue is a fraud linked to the government. Because of this, the country is facing power issues,” Chanaka told parliament, suggesting citizens may need to rely on generators during upcoming festive seasons if the situation is not addressed.
The MP further alleged that the minister had been absent from the plant for months before a no-confidence motion was filed, and is now “actively working to suppress the report and cover up the issue.” Opposition parties are reportedly uniting against what Chanaka describes as ongoing corruption in the energy sector.
The allegations add a political dimension to the Lakvijaya crisis, which has seen the 900MW coal plant operating well below capacity due to substandard fuel. The resulting power shortfall has forced the Ceylon Electricity Board to impose rolling blackouts across the country.
Separately, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya chaired a virtual Cabinet committee meeting on April 3 to review the government’s emergency energy management plan, with the Health and Mass Media Ministry reporting a 42 percent reduction in diesel consumption as of March 31.
The Energy Ministry has not publicly responded to Chanaka’s allegations.
