Special Presidential Commission to Be Appointed: Minister Bimal Ratnayake
13-Apr-2026.
A special Presidential Commission of Inquiry will be appointed to investigate the controversial procurement of substandard coal, Minister Bimal Ratnayake stated.
He said the commission will function under serving judges and will conduct a full investigation into coal purchases made since 2019. He added that it will then be revealed who will end up in prison.
The Minister further stated that the Opposition is free to go to court and file cases regarding the coal issue.
Minister Ratnayake made these remarks while speaking during the parliamentary debate on the no-confidence motion against Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody held on April 10.
He also stated that not all Opposition parties had signed the no-confidence motion, and that only certain members of the SJB and the Rajapaksa faction had signed it. He said the motion raised three main allegations: that the Minister had neglected responsibility for proper coal procurement for Norochcholai, that an indictment had been filed in the Colombo High Court, and that the Minister had failed in his duties.
He questioned where exactly the Minister had altered coal procurement procedures during the past 18 months, noting that the Coal Company prepares tender plans every six months and that neither the Minister nor the Ministry directly makes procurement decisions.
He added that no allegations had been made regarding tender evaluation, legal approval, or final authorisation, and therefore the Opposition could seek legal action if they had evidence that the Minister interfered with procedures.
While admitting that the electricity generated from imported coal had declined, he said Minister Jayakody could not be compared to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who allegedly changed medicine procurement processes to misuse public funds. He insisted Jayakody had not altered coal procurement systems because he had no need to commit fraud.
He said mistakes may have occurred, and the cause must be identified, but the Opposition should present evidence of any fraudulent mechanism created by the Minister.
Minister Ratnayake also stated that the Government has taken strong anti-corruption action and will take strict disciplinary measures even at party level if anyone is found guilty. He said the Government will not wait for the Opposition to point out wrongdoing.
He reaffirmed that a Special Presidential Commission will be appointed under serving judges to investigate all coal procurement since 2019 and vowed that the Government will fulfil its mandate to fight corruption.
