The office of the Lanka Coal Company, where the tender for the purchase of coal for the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai, one of the largest tenders in Sri Lanka, is opened, does not even have a CCTV camera system, says Lanka Coal Company Chairman Mr Jayanta Ratnayake.The Chairman also revealed that the company’s office is being maintained in a private residence, for which a monthly rent of Rs. 350,000 is being paid.He made these revelations while giving evidence before the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate corruption in coal purchases and procurement processes carried out from 2009 to April 2026.

He also revealed that when he assumed duties as Chairman of the Lanka Coal Company on 5 December 2025, several key and essential positions, including Legal Officer, Internal Auditor and Procurement Officer, were vacant. Of the 39 employees the institution was supposed to have, only around 19 were employed at the time, he said.

The Chairman also responded to an audio recording circulated on social media and gave a lengthy explanation as to why he had referred to the President in the recording.Supreme Court Justice Gihan Kulatunga is serving as Chairman of the Presidential Commission, while Court of Appeal Judge Adithya Patabendige and High Court Judge Sanjeewa Somaratne are the other members of the Commission.