COPE finds no machinery damage at Norochcholai power plant, calls for independent coal quality testing

Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman Nishantha Samaraweera has assured that recently imported coal has not caused any damage to machinery at the Lakvijaya Power Plant.

Speaking following an on-site inspection of the facility recently (6), Samaraweera said the plant is operating normally despite concerns raised in recent weeks about the quality of coal imports.

He noted that while there is a slight shortfall in electricity generation, it does not pose a serious concern given the country’s current energy demand. 

“The power plant is functioning properly and the required amount of coal is available in stock,” he said, requesting the public not to be misled by unverified claims until a proper investigation is completed.

During the inspection, members of COPE observed the entire operational chain of the power plant, from coal unloading to electricity generation. The delegation examined processes including coal unloading, storage, random sampling, laboratory testing of coal samples, and operations in the main control room.

The Committee also held discussions with the management and officials of the plant regarding operational procedures and coal supply.

However, the COPE observed that improvements are needed in the procedures used to test the quality of imported coal. The Committee recommended that coal shipments be tested through an accredited independent laboratory within Sri Lanka to ensure transparency and reliability in the testing process.

Officials explained that the coal required for the entire year can be imported within a six-month window during periods when sea conditions are favourable and stored at the plant’s coal yard. Ships carrying coal anchor about four kilometres away from the jetty, from where the cargo is transported to shore by barge. Once on land, the coal is transferred to conveyor belts, where random samples are collected and sent to laboratories for testing through courier services.

Samaraweera noted that issues have been identified in the process of collecting and transporting samples for testing. He said discussions would be held to improve the system to avoid future disputes over coal quality.

“It is appropriate to test this coal at an independent, accredited laboratory,” he said, adding that laboratories equipped with internationally recognised testing capabilities should undertake this task. 

He also stressed that the laboratory operated by the power plant should be properly calibrated and used in accordance with internationally accepted testing methods.

Addressing public concerns about the quality of imported coal and its impact on electricity generation, Samaraweera acknowledged that there has been a certain reduction in output because the quality of some shipments was not fully within the optimal range required for generation at the plant.

He said the COPE intends to examine whether this situation occurred deliberately or due to procedural lapses by reviewing the entire process from coal procurement to power generation, based on the findings of the site inspection and a forthcoming audit report.

The Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant is the largest power generation facility and the country’s only coal-fired power plant. With a gross capacity exceeding 900 megawatts, it supplies roughly 35% to 40% of the electricity requirements to the national grid. The plant, operated by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), employs around 845 staff members and includes extensive facilities such as a 47-acre coal storage yard and laboratory equipment used to analyse coal samples and monitor electricity generation data in real time.

MPs Ruwan Mapalagama, Sunil Rajapaksa, Asitha Niroshana Egodavithana, and Thilina Samarakoon, along with Committee staff, also participated in the inspection.