Ranil–Champika Meeting Focuses on Coal Procurement Scandal

24-Feb-2026

.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka on February 20 to discuss allegations of large-scale fraud in coal procurement.

Wickremesinghe reportedly advised Ranawaka to thoroughly investigate the matter and initiate appropriate legal action.

Ranawaka had earlier lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on February 17, submitting documentation related to the coal procurement process.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has stated that the purchase of substandard coal resulted in losses amounting to Rs. 7,672 million. 

According to Ranawaka, eight shipments of coal imported under new suppliers had, as of February 19, collectively led to these losses.

He described the alleged scandal as exceeding even the scale of the Central Bank bond scam.

However, Minister of Power Kumara Jayakody rejected the allegations, asserting that all purchases were made through proper competitive bidding procedures.