The Environment Ministry has stated that if the use of substandard coal has caused any environmental impact, the relevant authorities would take necessary action, noting that concerns have however been raised particularly about its sulphur composition.
Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody has told the media that the most significant concern relates to the sulphur composition of the coal in question. “If an environmental impact arises from this, appropriate measures will be taken. It needs to be discussed with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA),” he said.
The remarks have come amid criticism over the use of coal that failed to meet the required standards at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai and questions about its potential impact on the surrounding communities and ecosystems.
Although the government has reportedly stated that compensation would be sought from the supplier, the Electricity Consumers’ Association’s General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika has questioned recently as to who would be held responsible for the environmental damage caused by the use of substandard coal. He said that compensation should be paid to people living in the areas around the Norochcholai Plant. “Ash released from the boilers can pose serious health risks, especially during rainy weather, and can also damage vegetation in the nearby areas,” he had noted.
Dhammika had noted that comments made by the Chairperson of the Lanka Coal Company at a recent media briefing, including his claim that “coal ash is a blessing”, were neither scientifically nor industrially acceptable.
He had further called for all internal reports related to the coal quality at the said Power Plant, including reports on the samples sent to India, to be tabled in the Parliament and made public. He had urged the President to remove the Energy Minister engineer Kumara Jayakody, warning that the failure to do so could allow the truth to be concealed due to political influence.
General Manager of Lanka Coal Company, Namal Hewage, told a recent news briefing that a fine of around $ 2.1 million has been imposed on a company responsible for supplying substandard coal.
The government meanwhile has called for emergency procurement of coal after two shipments were found to be substandard. The Ministry of Energy said it requires 300,000 MT of coal, equivalent to around six shipments, and will initiate emergency procurement soon.
However, Minister Jayakody has told parliament that emergency coal purchases approved by the Cabinet will not result in losses to the country, countering Opposition claims.
He has said that only 300,000 metric tonnes of coal will be procured under emergency arrangements, which is sufficient to operate one power plant for about a month.
The Minister has explained that approval was sought to prevent a potential energy crisis after the first and third coal shipments were found to be below contractual specifications, while reports on the fourth and fifth shipments are still pending.
Jayakody has further stressed that if substandard coal continues to be supplied, the government will not hesitate to default the supplier.
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