Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP – D.V. Chanaka says delays in unloading 02 coal shipments at the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant have resulted in the government being forced to pay a daily demurrage of Rs. 05 million to the coal supplier.

He made the remarks while speaking to the media on May 15, when he had come to lodge a complaint before the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate coal imports.

Chanaka claimed that a significant volume of public funds are being wasted due to what he described as ‘mismanagement’ by the current government”, while attention is being diverted towards pursuing opposition MPs.

He further stated, “Normally, around 15,000 MT of coal are unloaded per day. However, at present, not even a single tonne has been unloaded due to prevailing maritime conditions… The unloading capacity is around 3,000 MT. Under these circumstances, the company has to be paid an additional Rs. 05 million as demurrage each day beyond the maximum 06-day unloading period stated in the tender. There is also a risk of around 10,000 MT of coal per ship, worth approximately Rs. 270 million, being lost to the sea. If the 07 ships cannot be brought in before the activation of monsoons, the total loss could exceed Rs. 03 billion. There was a major fraud in the import of coal for 2025 and 2026, amounting to nearly 100 billion. The procurement process was repeatedly delayed from the beginning and adjusted in favour of a “favoured company”, in violation of procurement regulations. Finally, substandard coal was brought to the country. All ships since the first consignment then have contained substandard coal. 05 ships have been brought without cabinet approval, on the sole decision of the ministry. We complained about that too.”