The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, for years the Norochcholai Power Plant has been in the news—coal controversies, corruption; breakdowns of the 68-unit machinery; or power outages. Under several governments, that plant and its procurement carried a dark image.

¶ 02 Production began in February 2011, and power generation commenced in July 2011. Whether we have domestic coal or not, procuring coal is done through a process. Looking at history since 2009, for years coal supply was not done through a proper process. The first tender called was cancelled midway, and coal was purchased through Cabinet decisions. Not once but repeatedly: call a tender, cancel it midway, and buy through Cabinet decisions; again and again—five times. A formula: call a tender, stop it, then give to a preferred company via Cabinet—Noble Resources International (Pvt.) Ltd.

¶ 03 In 2015, when they finally had to face a tender, the company long favoured via Cabinet lost. They went to the Supreme Court and lost. During the Rajapaksa era, coal supply followed this same pattern—call tenders, halt, and award via Cabinet papers to the same party. After 2016, tenders were called; some were cancelled; some spot purchases happened. Then, for 2022/2023, the bid submission period was reduced from 42 to 21 days. Even within tenders, that pattern appeared.

¶ 04 The globally accepted, transparent way is to conduct procurement properly. What our Government did was exactly that. By August 2025, we began registering international suppliers; 26 suppliers registered—a significant number, moving away from one or two favoured suppliers. For those suppliers, we initiated procurement on 18 August 2025 and allowed 21 days, until 8 September; on request, extended to 15 September. So, instead of the earlier 21 days for 2022/2023, we gave 28 days.

¶ 05 With 28 days, ten bidders submitted. Tell me, whom do you represent that could not submit in 28 days? If you say your company needed 42 days, say so. Ten bidders came; the company you represent is among them. If we had given 42 days, do you think your “trash” companies would come? This tender saw the highest number of bidders in history—ten.

¶ 06 It did not stop there. We allowed an appeal period from 19 to 29 September. No appeals were lodged. If there was corruption, if the selected company was wrong, bidders had the opportunity to appeal. None of the other nine appealed. So why does the Opposition have more sorrow than the bidders themselves?

¶ 07 On coal acceptance: Is there a method other than relying on the Load Port Report? If the load port analysis confirms the required parameters—e.g., calorific value over 5,900 kcal/kg—the consignment is accepted. After arrival, both Lakvijaya and the Lanka Coal Company conduct tests. If at discharge the result is between 5,900 and 6,150 kcal/kg, or if below 5,900, what happens? Fines are imposed. We did not invent anything new; we followed existing procedures: validate the load port report; unload; test locally; if outside the band 5,900–6,150, impose penalties; if below 5,900, double the penalty.

¶ 08 For 2020/2021, USD 4.5429 million in penalties were imposed; for 2021/2022, USD 6.1 million; for 2022/2023, USD 7.8 million—based on discharge port reports surpassing load port reports for accuracy. Ten vessels have arrived so far. Lanka Coal Company—

¶ 09 Let me be brief. The gap between the first and second bidders is USD 3.375 million. Find out who came second and you will understand why the Opposition is shouting. Look who is behind it.

¶ 10 When this debate began, I saw an error even in the first line of the motion: they did not know the exact quantity of coal. Also, the proposer is the Chairman of the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee—what did he ask officials previously?

¶ 11 Today there was a huge noise about a bank account, the branch, and a minister’s aunt. If you know it all, name the account and the holder. Their habit is to utter a lie and then demand we disprove it, and then run. That is what happened.

¶ 12 In this debate, unusually, it is the Opposition that has had to stand up repeatedly to answer—those who governed 2015–2020, before 2015, and after 2020. Why? Because the old coal transactions are that tainted. We have conducted procurement properly. If there is an issue with any one ship’s coal supplied, fines are imposed. What else should be done? That is exactly what will be done.

¶ 13 We cannot accept corruption allegations against this Government. Please inform your associates that when the CID, FCID or Police conduct inquiries, they must attend and answer. Do not feign illness when asked to appear. Many will be summoned in the coming months. Courts will have additional capacity; cases will be filed. This Government will protect no corrupt person. Police and Judiciary will act independently. We will provide the facilities. Tell your friends to come and answer—then the law can proceed swiftly.

¶ 14 Thank you.