President Also Responsible in Substandard Coal Scam: Patali Champika Ranawaka

31-Mar-2026

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Leader of the United Republican Front and former Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka stated that allegations regarding the procurement of substandard coal cannot be directed only at Power and Energy Minister Kumar Jayakody and the Chairman of the Coal Company. He said the President, as the head of the Cabinet, is also a partner in the scam and must be held accountable.

He made these remarks while addressing an event held in Avissawella.

He further stated that although several issues regarding the import of substandard coal and the resulting losses have been continuously revealed in Parliament, the President has been ignoring them. The President had claimed that no irregularities occurred in the coal tender process and that coal was being purchased only from a globally recognised company.

Ranawaka reiterated that responsibility cannot be placed solely on the Minister and the Chairman, and insisted that the President must also answer for his role.

He said the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has submitted a report to a parliamentary committee regarding the importation of substandard coal. The report highlights four key issues, including the need to investigate whether the machinery at the Norochcholai coal power plant was damaged due to the use of poor-quality coal, the direct financial losses suffered by the Ceylon Electricity Board, the environmental impact, and the threat of future power supply disruptions.

He stated that no action has been taken by the President against the Minister of Power and Energy, which has eroded public trust in the President. He further criticised that those who came to power by condemning the political system of the past 75 years are now functioning by giving prominence to corruption and fraud. He warned that the public will respond democratically against such irresponsible conduct by the President.