Sajith claims ninth coal shipment below standard, questions output

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 02:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday alleged that the ninth coal shipment imported to the country is of inferior quality, citing real-time operational data.

Speaking at a ceremony at the Kalyanarama Abinawarama Temple in Homagama, Premadasa said power generation figures indicate a shortfall compared to standard output levels.

According to him, only 250 megawatts (MW) of electricity had been generated from the ninth shipment, while a subsequent test recorded 275 MW. He noted that the average expected output from a standard coal consignment is around 300 MW.

“The ninth shipment has been found to be of inferior quality as per real-time data,” he said, adding that the consignment had been purchased from a South African supplier.

His remarks follow recent controversy over coal procurement, after the Government acknowledged that substandard coal had been supplied under a recent tender, while denying any fraud or corruption in the process.

Premadasa did not provide technical details of the testing methodology, but called for accountability over the procurement and quality assurance process.