TISL Probes Coal Procurement Irregularities via RTI 📈

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed Right to Information (RTI) requests targeting the Lanka Coal Company (LCC) and the Energy Ministry following allegations of corruption in coal supplies for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant. • Core Allegations: Concerns involve a major tender finalized in September 2025. Key issues include a shortened bidding period, amended eligibility criteria allegedly favoring specific suppliers, and the delivery of inferior quality coal shipments reported in January 2026. • Institutional Involvement: Requests were sent to the National Procurement Commission and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to verify financial transactions, quality certifications, and oversight mechanisms. • Economic Impact: The probe seeks to determine if procurement lapses caused financial losses or risks to electricity generation, which is vital for national grid stability and the manufacturing sector. • Current Status: While the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) initiated an internal audit, it reportedly focused on "document disclosures" rather than the procurement process itself. Parliamentary bodies, including COPE, have now launched comprehensive investigations. • Objective: TISL aims to ensure accountability in the use of public funds and to safeguard the energy sector from governance weaknesses that undermine public trust.