2026-02-20 / Adjournment Motion: Coal procurement for Lakvijaya Power Plant at Norochcholai (Part 2) 2026-02-20
## Summary
Hon. Ravindra Bandara rejected the motion as factually flawed, citing an alleged error in the stated coal procurement figure of 12.32 million metric tons, which he argued far exceeds the actual maximum capacity of approximately 2.25 million tons. He defended the current coal procurement tender process, noting it attracted the highest number of bidders in recent years, and countered Opposition criticisms by pointing to past procurement irregularities — including instances of sub-standard coal deliveries, miscalculated penalties, and a 2022–2023 case in which Cabinet overrode both the Technical Evaluation Committee and Tender Board recommendations. Bandara dismissed allegations of financial misconduct by attributing larger losses and procedural failures to previous administrations, referencing specific losses from 2011 to 2015 and the practice of paying 100% on load-port testing alone until 2019. He concluded by condemning what he described as disruptive parliamentary behaviour and threatening to refer Opposition Members' alleged corrupt conduct to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Hon. Presiding Member, those who brought this motion should be ashamed. The motion begins with a blatant error: “12.32 million metric tons” for 2025–2026; the maximum capacity is about 2.25 million tons, and we procure about 1.5 million.
Hon. Harsha de Silva cited the special audit but ignored that section 7.2 clearly recommends relaxing conditions to enhance competition, while keeping financial strength, experience, and quality.
They now read out scraps of paper saying Lakvijaya received coal below 5,900 kcal/kg. Before our procurement too, there were five consignments below 5,900—some around 5,400. Were penalties recovered then? They also claim all were rejected; not so.
This tender had the most bidders recently: 11 registered, 10 submitted. In contrast, in 2022–2023 the tender went to a reputed Singaporean company, but on award day a lower offer appeared; both the TEC and Tender Board objected, yet Cabinet overrode them, using subcommittees—those were the real frauds.
As for losses: 2014–2015 saw Rs. 12,500 million that should have been recovered. In 2011 Rs. 3,500 million. From 2011 to 2014, Norochcholai lost 136 production days. And until 2019 they only did load-port testing and paid 100 per cent on that basis.
In 2016, seven ships were rejected. Even there, penalties were calculated by an “equation” dividing by 1 instead of by 0.1—reducing penalties tenfold. Those who did that now lecture us.
On alleged “accounts of mothers-in-law” and similar—those were their practices. When asked for proof, they wave random papers. We stand by our anti-corruption record; no one with corruption allegations is appointed to Cabinet.
Some try to inflame communal tensions to attack the President. They have revived ugly Parliamentary behaviour—throwing chilli powder, breaking microphones, insulting Members. We ask for dignified conduct; the public expect a decent Parliament.
Finally, many Members rise daily with Standing Orders in hand asking for points of order without even knowing what they are. From today, all corruption and wrongdoing of those Members will be exposed and taken to the CIABOC and other authorities.
Thank you.