Sri Lanka's Coal Controversy: A Presidential Commission Probes Decades of Imports

Sri Lanka has launched a Presidential Commission to probe coal imports by the state-owned Lanka Coal Ltd over the past two decades. The investigation will assess financial losses and procedural adherence. The move is a response to political tensions, including a 'No Trust' motion against the Energy Minister.

Sri Lanka on Friday launched a comprehensive investigation into its historical coal imports for power generation. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed a high-powered Presidential Commission to review activities of Lanka Coal Ltd dating back nearly two decades, with an end target of April 16, 2026.

The probe, initiated under the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Act, will scrutinize whether any financial losses incurred to the state from coal imports and whether procurement procedures followed legal guidelines. Police temporarily sealed the offices of Lanka Coal Ltd last week during a preliminary investigation.

The inquiry follows political tension, as the opposition lodged a 'No Trust' motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakodi, accusing the government of importing substandard coal and causing financial losses. The government successfully defended itself, winning parliamentary support to continue its mandate.

(With inputs from agencies.)