2026-03-03 / Procedural: Privilege Question on Substandard Coal - Leader of Opposition 2026-03-03
## Summary
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa raised a privilege complaint alleging that he was improperly denied the opportunity to pose questions under Standing Order 27(2) regarding substandard coal imports and their impact on power generation at Norochcholai. He argued that ten coal shipments, including nine from South Africa, have been widely acknowledged as substandard, and that his questions sought specific quantitative data—including gross calorific value, ash content, volatile matter levels, generation capacity, and emergency procurement details—that are of urgent national importance. Premadasa contended that the ruling authority's justification that an earlier Adjournment Debate had "covered" these issues was insufficient, as that mechanism does not compel the Government to provide precise, accountable numerical answers. He requested that the Speaker investigate the matter as a breach of his parliamentary privileges under Article 3 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act and permit him to raise the questions within the same week.
Mr. Speaker, because yesterday was a BOQ day, I could not raise under Standing Order 27(2) the question I had submitted last Friday regarding substandard coal. I have been asked to amend that question; I raise my privilege on this.
Standing Order 27(2) states that, except a question ruled out as inadmissible, questions of which due notice has been given shall be included in the Order Paper for a date not later than seven clear days from the date of notice, and that at the end of questions, a question of public importance may, with notice, be asked by the Leader of the Opposition or a recognized party leader.
I sought to raise today, 2026.03.03, questions regarding coal supply and standards. It is now accepted nationwide that all coal ships that have arrived are substandard, Mr. Speaker. My questions concerned the coal consignments imported after the Adjournment Debate: the total generation capacity at Norochcholai, seasonal stocking processes, production timelines, ship calls, and the required specifications for imported coal—ash content and volatile matter—so that the Government focuses on these. I asked about the reasons for not achieving maximum capacity using South African coal and the financial losses thereby; the importance of real‑time combustion data to assess coal quality; and what immediate steps would be taken to bridge the production shortfall. All ten ships are substandard. I have been denied the chance to ask.
I also queried the reasons for emergency procurements and their transparency. For example: “Given the shortfall from the 900 GWh target at Norochcholai, what alternative measures is the Government taking to ensure power supply?” I have been barred from asking. I asked, per ship, for the gross calorific value (GCV) reverse‑calculated from generating 300 MW—again refused. I asked whether emergency coal purchases are being made, the reasons, and the procurement processes and specifications—refused. I asked, for the nine South African coal ships, what were the ash content and volatile matter levels, what are the specification limits, and what is volatile matter—refused on the ground that the Adjournment Debate “covered” these issues. Standing Order 27(2) gives a party leader the right to seek precise, quantitative information of urgent national importance; an Adjournment Debate is not the mechanism for Government to supply accountable, numerical answers.
[At this stage, the Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake entered the Chamber.]
Refusing such a question infringes my parliamentary functions and privileges as Leader of the Opposition. The ongoing power‑generation crisis affects the economy, public finance and people’s lives; denying this question undermines the public’s right to accurate information and violates Article 3 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act on freedom of speech, debate and proceedings. I kindly request that you inquire and take necessary action, and that I be permitted to raise this question within this week.