Quality deficiency identified in coal samples sent to India: Minister

It has been confirmed that the coal samples sent to India in relation to the coal shipment that has sparked public debate have not met the required calorific value, the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has said.

Speaking to media in Kalutara, the Minister stated that steps will be taken to impose penalties on the relevant supplier accordingly.

Commenting further on the issue, Minister Jayatissa said, “There was no issue in the procurement process. After the first 60,000 metric tonnes were imported to the country, sample testing carried out in India by the coal supplier revealed a deficiency in the required calorific value. Therefore, penalties will be imposed.”

“If the samples tested after the coal is unloaded in Sri Lanka fail to meet the required standards, the relevant party will be required to pay penalties without exception,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Member of Parliament D.V. Chanaka recently told Parliament that the importation of substandard coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant has resulted in losses amounting to nearly Rs. 10 billion.