COLOMBO (News 1st); Former State Minister of Power and Energy D.V. Chanaka yesterday (6) presented a series of observations and allegations before the Special Presidential Commission investigating coal transactions, including concerns relating to the cancellation of emergency and long-term coal tenders during the 2022 economic crisis.Appearing before the Commission, Chanaka stated that technical shortcomings, violations of tender conditions and the severe financial difficulties faced by the country at the time had made it difficult for suppliers to maintain operations in a stable manner.His testimony also focused on what he described as irregularities in more recent coal procurement processes.Among the key issues raised was the 2025/2026 long-term coal tender, where Chanaka alleged that the tender process had been delayed until a particular supplier completed its registration process. He claimed that bid documents had been issued just one day before the supplier's registration was finalized, alleging that the circumstances suggested a coordinated effort to facilitate the supplier's participation in the tender.The former State Minister further stated that key technical requirements relating to coal unloading capacity had allegedly not been properly considered during the procurement process.Chanaka also questioned the acceptance of laboratory reports submitted by a supplier while, according to his testimony, reports generated by the Lakvijaya Power Plant laboratory had not been accepted. He told the Commission that reliance on an unrecognized foreign laboratory report instead created a contradiction within the evaluation process.The Commission also heard claims relating to the resignation of former Lanka Coal Company Chairman A.H.C. Perera.According to Chanaka, the former chairman had submitted his resignation in protest against the conduct of former Ministry of Energy Secretary Udayanga Hemapala.He further alleged that the resignation was not accepted immediately and that it was only accepted after certain concerns raised against the former ministry secretary had been withdrawn and the relevant tender documentation had been finalized.The former State Minister additionally highlighted delays in obtaining approvals from the National Procurement Commission for the establishment of procurement committees relating to coal imports.According to his testimony, a delay of approximately five weeks in securing the necessary procurement approvals had a significant impact on the overall tender process.Chanaka also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in quality evaluation standards applied during previous coal import processes. He claimed that shipments containing coal with a high ash content had not been rejected, while consignments were rejected only when calorific values fell below required levels.He argued that such differences reflected inconsistencies in decision-making within the procurement process.
