Eppawala Phosphate Drama: From Golden Rock to Political Shock

The quiet phosphate hills of Eppawala, long described as Sri Lanka’s hidden treasure chest, are once again at the center of controversy—and this time the spotlight has swiveled back onto none other than Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former President now said to be recuperating at home with what insiders whisper is a serious health issue.

But while Ranil recovers, the courts are heating up.

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice. The petition zeroes in on the alleged sweetheart sale of Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP)—Sri Lanka’s strategic mineral—by Lanka Phosphate Limited to three private companies, at prices reportedly far below the going world market rate.

Why Eppawala Matters

Discovered in 1971, the Eppawala deposit is one of the richest phosphate beds in the world, with 33–40% P₂O₅ content and reserves estimated at up to 60 million tonnes. For decades, experts have warned that careless deals could hand away Sri Lanka’s golden goose. The phosphate, used for fertilizers, is critical for agriculture and foreign exchange savings.

In the 1990s, Eppawala was already a hotbed of protest when foreign giants eyed the resource. The landmark Bulankulama v. Ministry of Industrial Development (2000) case saw the Supreme Court block those plans, ruling that national resources must not be plundered without proper study.

And now—history seems to be repeating itself.

The Allegations

According to the petition, on 6 July 2023, Lanka Phosphate Limited wrote to the Ministry of Industries announcing its decision to sell 10,000 metric tonnes of ERP to hand-picked companies—D.M Traders, Disaru International Engineering Company, and Ichiban (Pvt) Ltd.

Not only that, the company allegedly recommended issuing export licenses for the same quantity, despite having no legal authority to do so. The letter even asked the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to smooth out the paperwork.

The petitioners argue this cozy arrangement deprived the government of millions in revenue, while private hands stood to pocket the profits.

Political Fallout

Cited as respondents are not just Lanka Phosphate Limited and the GSMB, but also Ranil Wickremesinghe, his Cabinet ministers, and a handful of officials from the former government. For Ranil—long dubbed the “political fox” for his ability to wriggle out of crises—this case could become yet another thorn in his legacy.

Gossip from Colombo’s inner circles suggests that while Ranil nurses his health at home, aides are scrambling to prepare legal responses. “This isn’t just about fertilizer—it’s about credibility,” one insider murmured. “Eppawala is sacred ground for activists. Touch it wrongly, and you invite trouble.”

What Comes Next

The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case opens the door to a new wave of scrutiny on how Sri Lanka manages its strategic resources. Environmentalists are already sharpening their arguments, warning that cheap sales and export deals could compromise both food security and sovereignty.

For now, the hills of Eppawala remain silent, but in Colombo’s gossip corridors the talk is deafening: will Ranil’s health—and his political survival—hold up under the weight of yet another scandal?