2026-02-20 / Adjournment Motion: Coal procurement for Lakvijaya Power Plant at Norochcholai (Part 2) 2026-02-20
Hon. K. Ilankumaran spoke in support of the Government's position during an adjournment motion debate concerning coal purchases for the Norochcholai thermal power plant, which he stated supplies 30–40% of national electricity generation. He defended the tender process as transparent, noting ten bidders participated and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, and attributed the adjournment motion to unsuccessful bidders with Opposition links. The speaker argued Sri Lanka's improved ranking on the Corruption Perceptions Index (advancing 14 places to 107th) refutes Opposition corruption allegations. He further advocated for accelerated transition to renewable energy, specifically citing solar and wind potential in the Northern Province, while acknowledging the need to meet rising electricity demand including from electric vehicles.
[4.38 p.m.]
Hon. Presiding Member, we are debating the adjournment motion on coal purchases for the Norochcholai thermal power plant.
This Government has acted with transparency. Ten bidders participated. Despite this, the Opposition seeks to create a false public impression. When in Government, they lied to the people; that is why they sit in Opposition today, still peddling falsehoods. They think people are foolish. The people are fully aware.
Norochcholai generates about 900 MW—30–40% of total generation. We called tenders and awarded to the lowest bidder, not to cronies. Their bids did not succeed; hence these adjournment motions to waste our time. These motions are backfiring.
We must move towards renewables. The Northern Province can generate significant solar power, and also wind, with minimal environmental impact. Electricity demand rises, including from electric vehicles. We are rightly focusing more on renewables while ensuring supply.
In past years, coal import permits were given to individuals without transparency—now the people bear that cost. Yet the Opposition claims we are corrupt, even as Sri Lanka has advanced 14 places on the global Corruption Perceptions Index, now at 107th, all within one year. Are all those international assessments false, and only the Opposition truthful? No. International bodies acknowledge Sri Lanka’s rapid recovery; so do the people, which is why support for the NPP Government is growing, including in the North. When the President or Prime Minister visits, people across communities express support—because they see performance. Let the Opposition shout; we will work, and support will grow.
Thank you.