The Hon. S.M. Marikkar

¶ 01 How much? For a US$147.5 million deal, the bid bond is US$14.758 billion? No, what I say is, roughly Rs. 45 billion. The losses already incurred due to these nine ships are around Rs. 8 billion. Then recover the losses from the nine ships that have arrived so far under the tender for 25 ships through the bid bond of 68. If you do not know, study the facts. These are not my statements; they are from PUCSL reports.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, according to PUCSL document 605556, from the first ship, you cannot produce 300 megawatts from coal at Norochcholai; only 287 MW are producible. From the second ship, 292 MW; the third, 261 MW; the fourth, 290 MW; the fifth, 284 MW; the sixth, 268 MW; the seventh, 274 MW; the eighth, 257 MW; and the ninth, 260 MW. Members from the ruling side were on that committee. Ask them for these charts and do your OSHS. Do not just come and spin lies. Moreover, in addition to the financial loss, there is a massive environmental impact, Hon. Presiding Member. The ash content has increased by 102 per cent compared to before. It should be around 11 per cent normally, but it is now between 22 and 26 per cent. These ships are delayed. The nine ships that arrived are delayed. Without charging delay penalties, they sent reminder emails. Since the 25th ship was not coming on 22 April, they even gave another extra week. Who is encouraging this? That is where the suspicion of corruption arises. Now the Secretary to the Ministry says the Attorney-General has advised that this can be terminated. Even after such advice by the Attorney-General, reminder emails are being sent and, to date, delay penalties—fines—have not been charged for the nine delayed ships. Eleven ships have arrived, even if he does not know. The 11th ship is at berth.

¶ 03 Hon. Presiding Member, furthermore, because this substandard coal is used, the turbine heat capacity is exceeding 565 degrees Celsius. Once it goes above 565 degrees, it must be shut down within 15 minutes. What happens if it is shut down? Power generation stops. That is what they are doing now, as per these charts. If a blade of the turbine breaks thereafter, according to CEB reports, it costs Rs. 100 million to repair. Therefore, do not deny facts you do not know. If a mistake has been made, accept it. Accept it and fix the shortcomings. We have no desire to create blackouts to do politics by letting these things happen and power be cut. We do not know—there may be political parties who like that. But we have no such desire. You have had power for years. After 1657 months of chaos in this country—there are 44 months left to make it right. If, during that time, you get back on the right track instead of this wrong path, there is no issue.

¶ 04 Yesterday, the President said that, given the Middle East situation, the Government would present to the country an assessment of potential economic losses. We told the State Minister of Finance not to make it public like that. If you publicize it, what happens? Tourism will be discouraged; foreign investments will be discouraged. It affects the economy. We have no such evil desire. Also, this panic petrol queue—we did not make people form it. We said it was a panic petrol queue. There was talk of war yesterday, but today there is no shortage of fuel. However, let me say one thing. You said previous governments did not create these issues. In truth, in 1988-89, the way eight malls were set on fire, petrol sheds torched, bowsers burned—this country going this way is also not good, Hon. Presiding Member. Remember those, if you do not know.

¶ 05 Hon. Presiding Member, regarding this coal fraud, we must clearly say again: do not cover this up. Now, unofficially, the mistake is being admitted. That is why you are going for an emergency procurement. There is no need for emergency procurement if coal is arriving properly, if there is no loss, if the ash content is correct, and if 300 MW can be generated. If so, is emergency procurement necessary, Hon. Presiding Member? Therefore, we are ready to acknowledge what is right and also to criticize what is wrong and act against it. The loss from these nine ships is computed at US$ 8,497 million based on previous oil prices. Yesterday, global oil prices rose by 15 per cent. Then that US$ 8,497 million increases by 15 per cent. Why? When there is no coal, you must switch to oil. Therefore, by increasing electricity tariffs and the unit price, we will not allow this Government to put the burden of this loss on the people.

¶ 06 After I spoke in Parliament and went to the Committee Room, some MP—whose name I do not even remember, the one in charge of fake profiles—asked, “Where is Marikkar? Call Marikkar.” Marikkar is here. Yesterday, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa also asked. Marikkar is here. Marikkar will answer the allegations without going in circles. Answer the allegations and the arguments we raise and the documentary evidence we present. If the coal has not failed quality tests, there is no need to impose penalties. Why are you imposing them? Penalties are imposed because these are substandard. Give answers to that. The Minister of Power is not in the House, the State Minister is not here either. Hon. Presiding Member, I must say this again: before asking other things, bring the cheque number and money trail of Mahinda Rajapaksa, bring the money from Uganda, find the details of the files stuffed into cabs, and bring the wealth of the Rajapaksas as you promised. Again, I say what you promised one and a half years ago—reduce the electricity bill by one third. Do that. Also, provide petroleum at the port-of-discharge price as promised. You took office saying you could. Likewise, reduce VAT on food, education and essential items to zero as you promised. You told fairy tales, created fairy images, led people into a dream world; when it all ended you could not deliver, allowed the container racket of 323, allowed the coal fraud—do not call this a victory.

¶ 07 Before I conclude, let me say this: by arresting Suresh Sallay you cannot cover up the coal fraud. Not only Suresh Sallay—if even Gotabaya Rajapaksa is responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks, he must be arrested.

¶ 08 In our country, there is no licence to kill. In 2009, there was no licence to kill, bomb media houses, or murder journalists. We have no issue with that principle. Arrest anyone—Suresh Sallay or anyone else. But do not use that to cover up other matters. Also, our country is not a ruin; for us, this country is a great ocean. I conclude my speech with that reminder.

¶ 09 Thank you very much.