2026-02-20 / Adjournment Motion: Coal procurement for Lakvijaya Power Plant at Norochcholai (Part 2) 2026-02-20
Hon. Danushka Ranganath spoke in opposition to a postponement motion, defending the government's coal procurement process against allegations raised by the Opposition. He argued that the current tender process was conducted properly, attracting ten bidders — the highest number in the procurement's history — and contrasted this with multiple instances between 2009 and 2015 when previous governments bypassed tender procedures entirely. On coal quality concerns, he outlined the existing penalty framework, whereby shortfalls below 6,150 kcal/kg GCV attract either single or double penalties, and stated that these penalties are being enforced where applicable. He dismissed the Opposition's allegations as politically motivated, characterising their repeated motions — including on education reform and a no-confidence move against the Prime Minister — as attempts to obscure their own policy failures.
Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for allowing me to speak on the Opposition’s postponement motion.
The proposer brought many false claims and is not even in the Chamber now to substantiate them—they have perhaps gone to hunt bank account numbers. When the debate began, about 10–15 Opposition MPs staged a small protest outside Parliament gates. Even they know they cannot establish this lie inside the Chamber.
Technically, our Ministers and Members have responded. Politically, the Opposition’s programs repeatedly fail; to cover failure, they invent new motions and allegations that backfire on them. On education reform they cried “indecent,” then quickly backed away. They even tried a no-confidence move on the Prime Minister—again, no result. They lack the material to do their job and thus clutch at straws.
On pricing and procurement: the tender closing date was 8 September, with an initial 21 days extended to 28 at bidders’ request. In the past, procurement was repeatedly done outside tender: in 2009 the first process was not concluded and was cancelled; the second also did not reach a final award; coal was bought outside procedure. In 2011, likewise. From 2013 to 2015, governments failed to follow tender procedures. Our Government has conducted this procurement properly, with the largest number of bidders in history—ten—and awarded to one of them.
On coal quality: if GCV is below 5,900 kcal/kg, double penalties apply; between 5,900–6,150, single penalties apply. This framework exists because coal is a natural commodity. Where quality issues arise, penalties are being imposed. There is no “scam.” The Opposition only wants to paint us with their own brush. Sorry—we were elected to stop theft, corruption and waste, and that is what we are doing. For their next sitting, the Opposition will have to find a new topic; this one will again be a snare for them. Thank you.