2026-02-20 / Adjournment Motion: Coal procurement for Lakvijaya Power Plant at Norochcholai (Part 2) 2026-02-20
## Summary
Hon. Srineshan spoke during a debate on coal procurement, addressing an adjournment motion citing four concerns: failure to follow due process, disregard of COPF advice, substandard coal quality, and risks to the power system. He urged the Government to take Opposition criticisms constructively rather than deflecting with counter-accusations about past administrations, specifically referencing claims by Hon. Mujibur Rahuman that eight ships carrying substandard coal had already arrived with approximately twenty more expected, and calling on the Government to take corrective action on the four raised issues. He also raised two additional matters: the need to expand rural electrification to remote villages facing human-elephant and human-crocodile conflict—citing recent fatal elephant attacks in Valachchenai and Magilavetuvan—and calling for coordinated action between the Ministers of Power and Wildlife. Additionally, he urged the Education Minister to adapt map- and image-based examination questions across all public examinations to ensure fair access for visually impaired students.
Hon. Presiding Member, today’s debate concerns coal procurement. I did not intend to speak, but I do so at short notice.
The adjournment motion points to four issues: that due process was not followed; that COPF advice was not followed; that quality standards were not maintained; and that there is a risk to the power system.
I listened from this morning. The Opposition presented what they consider their reasons; the Government argued there are none. As the last speaker from our side, I say this: do not keep saying “this happened in the past.” Past errors led to that administration’s defeat and to your coming to power with more than a two-thirds majority—159 seats. The people expect a clean Sri Lanka: governance without corruption, fraud, or bribery.
Therefore, when shortcomings occur, the Opposition has a duty to point them out. When such pointing out happens, it gives a chance to correct mistakes. Responding only with counter-accusations is not meaningful. The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman noted that eight ships have arrived with coal deemed below standard, with perhaps twenty more to come. If so, are we going to continue importing such coal? The Government should focus on these issues. If there is scope to make changes and corrections on the four matters raised, do so and reduce or eliminate the allegations against you.
We accept that many mistakes happened in the past and the people have rendered their verdict. The people placed an unusual level of trust in you, giving you 159 seats through proportional representation—more than even those who won the war received. Do not treat everyone in the Opposition as wrongdoers. If there are errors, correct them and move forward on a just path.
On electricity more generally, some remote villages still do not have access. In those areas, elephants and crocodiles pose dangers. I urge the Minister of Power to expand electrification to such vulnerable areas and to work with the Minister of Wildlife to address increasing human–elephant conflict. Recently, two persons in Valachchenai and a mother in Magilavetuvan were killed by elephant attacks. Coordinated action is needed.
On another matter I raised with the Education Minister: visually impaired students cannot perceive maps and images in public examinations. Please design question papers—whether scholarship, GCE (O/L), GCE (A/L), or university entrance—so that map- or image-based questions are adapted, enabling them to compete fairly.
In conclusion, accept sound points made by the Opposition, correct any errors, and proceed on a reasonable course.
Thank you.