The Pulseline News Desk
The Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate coal procurement transactions in Sri Lanka is set to begin formally recording evidence today (1), marking a significant step in an investigation into one of the country’s most scrutinised areas of public procurement.
According to the state-run Dinamina newspaper, the Commission has received 28 complaints relating to coal transactions, while Tuesday (June 30) was the final day for complainants to submit detailed reports supporting their allegations.
Commission Secretary D.V. Bandulasena said preliminary investigations have already progressed substantially, with statements recorded from more than 100 individuals, including several former Secretaries to government ministries and other senior state officials connected to the procurement process.
The evidence gathered during the hearings is expected to assist the Commission in examining whether coal purchases were carried out in accordance with the law, procurement guidelines, and principles of transparency and accountability.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed the full-powered Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate all coal procurement transactions in the country amid continuing concerns over alleged irregularities, financial losses, and governance failures associated with coal imports.
The three-member Commission is chaired by Supreme Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga, with Court of Appeal Judge Adithya Patabendige and High Court Judge Sanjeewa Somaratne serving as members.
The Commission has been tasked with examining procurement procedures, contract awards, pricing mechanisms, and any allegations of fraud, corruption, abuse of power, or other misconduct linked to coal imports.
Procurement under public scrutiny
Coal procurement has remained a contentious issue in the country for several years, particularly because imported coal supplies the majority of fuel used by the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant at Norochcholai – the country’s largest coal-fired power station and a critical contributor to the national electricity grid.
Successive governments have faced allegations over the manner in which coal tenders were awarded, with disputes ranging from procurement procedures and contract cancellations to claims of inflated prices and legal challenges involving suppliers.
In recent years, delays in finalising coal tenders have also raised concerns about the security of fuel supplies for electricity generation, particularly during periods of high demand. Authorities have repeatedly maintained that adequate coal stocks were secured, even as procurement decisions came under close public and judicial scrutiny.
The new Commission is expected to review transactions spanning multiple administrations, reflecting the government’s pledge to strengthen accountability and investigate allegations of financial misconduct involving state institutions.
Focus on accountability
The commencement of public evidence marks the next phase of the inquiry after weeks of collecting documents and preliminary statements from officials involved in procurement, administration, and oversight.
The Commission is expected to hear testimony from former public officials, representatives of relevant state agencies, industry stakeholders, and other witnesses as it seeks to establish whether any legal or administrative wrongdoing occurred during the procurement of coal.
Its findings could lead to recommendations for institutional reforms, legal action where warranted, and measures aimed at improving transparency in future public procurement, particularly in the strategically important energy sector.
With the formal hearings beginning today, the Commission’s work is likely to attract close attention as Sri Lanka continues efforts to strengthen governance, enhance public sector accountability, and restore confidence in the management of state resources.
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