CID starts investigations into the coal company - Police protection is also provided to the Kohuwala office.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a comprehensive investigation into alleged irregularities in coal imports to the country from 2009 to date. This investigation is being carried out based on an official complaint filed by President's Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayaka with the Criminal Investigation Department this morning (11).

The President's Media Division states that the President's Secretary filed this complaint based on serious issues and allegations raised regarding the coal import process through various audit reports and during parliamentary debates. Accordingly, a formal investigation into all coal import processes carried out over the past fifteen years is expected through this.

With the commencement of these investigations, steps have been taken this afternoon to provide special police protection to the head office of Lanka Coal Company located in Suranimala Place, Kohuwala. Police state that the relevant office premises have been sealed, and four officers attached to the Kohuwala Police Station and two officers from the Criminal Investigation Department have been deployed for its security.

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake revealed in Parliament yesterday that the President is preparing to appoint a special Presidential Commission of Inquiry with full powers to investigate this coal crisis more broadly. The relevant commission is expected to be established after the conclusion of the no-confidence motion brought against the Minister of Energy, and the Minister further stated that currently serving Supreme Court judges are to be appointed to lead its investigations.