Special COPE investigation on coal imports

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has decided to conduct a special investigation into all matters related to the process of importing coal to the country during the past five years. The Chairman of the COPE Committee, Member of Parliament Dr. Nishantha Samarawira, stated that audit reports pertaining to the relevant period would be used as the basis for this extensive investigation.

This investigation will primarily focus on whether proper tender procedures were followed during the import of coal over the past five years and whether these activities were conducted with full transparency. Additionally, a full inquiry will be conducted into the external and internal parties involved in these transactions, and committee sources indicate that current and former officials of state institutions related to coal import are expected to be summoned before the COPE Committee for questioning.

Severe allegations were made by various parties regarding two recent shipments of coal imported for the Lakvijaya power plant, and scientific tests conducted in this regard revealed that the coal samples were of substandard quality. Based on this controversial incident, the government promptly decided to impose fines on the suppliers who provided the substandard coal stock.