Kanchana requests COPF probe into coal deal

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekara has officially requested the Chairman of the Public Finance Committee, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva to conduct an inquiry on the recent procurement of 4.5 million MT of Coal. 

The Minister alleged that false allegations leveled against the awarded tender has created questions on transparency and pricing.

The Minister, in his request, has said that the Lanka Coal Company had called for tenders for the procurement of 4.5 million MT of coal, in line with Government procurement guidelines. 

On 29th August, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made a revelation regarding a deal in which Sri Lanka is set to spend 1.5 Billion USD, exceeding the market value for 4.5 million MT of coal.

The Opposition Leader demanded the reason for the Government spend Rs. 524 billion when the people do not have food to eat and the means to live.

He further demanded as to why a price higher than the market value is being spent, and as to who is obtaining this commission.

Opposition Leader Premadasa also went onto demand whether or not there was a tender procedure, and whether it is an unsolicited proposal.

On 30th August, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Committee on the procurement of fuel and coal, and proposed that the post of Chairman of this committee be given to the Opposition.

COPF Chairman MP Harsha de SIlva later responded positively to the request, and said that after discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament and the Auditor General, an immediate audit will be carried out into the procurement process.