The country faces a severe risk of a massive power crisis and widespread electricity cuts in the coming months, a direct consequence of the current government’s inefficiency and lack of transparency in the coal procurement process. Political groups, including the ‘Winning South Collective’ and opposition parties, warn that failure to secure the necessary coal stocks before April could cripple the Norochcholai Power Plant, making a return to nationwide darkness inevitable.
The core of this crisis is identified as a deeply flawed and allegedly corrupt tender procedure adopted by the government. The standard 42-day tender period was arbitrarily slashed to just 21 days without formal justification, and the minimum required coal reserve for suppliers was reduced from one million metric tons to 500,000. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Parliamentarian D.V. Chanaka have strongly accused the government in Parliament of relaxing these conditions to award the tender to unqualified, favored companies. Suspicion of a massive financial fraud has been raised, particularly over the government’s move to facilitate controversial companies like ‘Trident Chemphar’.
Recent inspections of coal shipments that arrived in the country revealed them to be substandard and below quality. While the tender specifications mandated a Calorific Value of 5,900 kcal/kg, test reports confirm the imported stock falls significantly short, ranging between 5,600 and 5,800. Furthermore, the high Ash Content, up to 21%, has led engineers to issue a stark warning about potential severe damage to the Norochcholai power plant’s boilers. The government’s decision to authorize the burning of this low-quality coal even before receiving the final test reports suggests that private commissions are being prioritized over public assets.
Audit reports and economic experts indicate that the financial loss incurred by the government due to these irregularities is a colossal Rs. 7 to 10 billion. The public has expressed serious doubts as to whether the failure to import coal on time is an internal strategy to create an opening for the ‘diesel mafia,’ which profits from expensive diesel-generated electricity. Accusations that Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and the Ministry Secretary are providing “blatant lies” instead of direct answers to questions concerning the scandal highlight the government’s ethical collapse.
Ultimately, the burden of this inefficiency and corruption will fall on the ordinary citizens. Reports suggest the government is preparing to increase electricity tariffs to offset the losses caused by the substandard coal, which would be a severe blow to the national economy. If the government fails to immediately halt these opaque deals and save the country from an energy crisis, an inevitable massive public backlash against the administration cannot be averted.
