The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition

¶ 01 Issues Arisen Due to Use of Substandard Coal at Lakvijaya Power Plant

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, amidst a challenging background relating to continuous and stable electricity supply, the fundamental issue is the contentious quality of coal supplied to the Lakvijaya Power Plant.

¶ 03 It is clear that inferior coal has been used. I raise several questions:

¶ 04 1. What was the maximum electricity generation capacity (MW) achievable per shipment for each vessel supplied by Trident Chemphar Limited, and what were the comparable maximum generation capacities per vessel for the previous supplier’s coal?

¶ 05 I note that we have with us the PUCSL report. I want to know whether the Minister’s data matches the PUCSL’s data.

¶ 06 2. What are the specific coal consumption rates (metric tons per hour) per vessel for Trident Chemphar Limited’s shipments? How do these compare with the previous supplier?

¶ 07 3. What are the Gross Calorific Values of coal supplied by Trident Chemphar Limited, and those of the previous supplier? Was there any material relaxation of criteria at registration regarding GCV? What legal and technical advice was obtained?

¶ 08 4. What is the daily quantity of fly ash generated from Trident Chemphar Limited’s coal? How much is sold and how much is added to the ash yard? There are allegations that use of inferior coal has created fly-ash mountains. What were the comparable quantities for the previous supplier?

¶ 09 5. Due to the use of inferior coal, if LVPP or several CEB plants must be shut down for maintenance in the future, what is the assurance of uninterrupted supply during peak demand? Does the Government have the capacity to supply during peak time?

¶ 10 6. Does the Minister accept that a supplier who failed to complete registration by paying the stipulated fee on the due date as per the tender for LVPP coal procurement was awarded the contract? Please clarify.

¶ 11 7. After award, how many vessels has Trident Chemphar Limited supplied to LVPP? As at 7 April 2026, what was the number of vessels due as per the schedule and what actually arrived? What are the reasons for any variance?

¶ 12 8. What is the loss incurred, delineated by vessel, due to inferior coal supply? Will the Government recover the expected loss arising from higher coal consumption for generation? How and by what mechanism?

¶ 13 Further, from late February, with only South African coal used at LVPP, the expected generation was not achieved, and about Rs. 10 billion was spent by 31 March to purchase diesel and furnace oil from Yugadanavi. Please clarify this as well.