Coal procurement scam losses could reach Rs 100 billion: Opposition

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, April 10 (Daily Mirror) - While highlighting that total losses from the coal procurement could reach Rs 100 billion, opposition parties in Parliament said yesterday that the entire Cabinet is responsible for the scam.

This was stated by MPs D. V. Chanaka, Ajith P. Perera, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Dilith Jayaweera and Ramanathan Archchuna at a joint press conference at the Parliamentary complex.

SLPP MP D. V. Chanaka, who said the entire Cabinet is responsible for the scam, called for the dissolution of Parliament. “The total losses of the coal procurement scam could go up to Rs 100 billion when one takes into account the extra amount of funds which has to be spent for the use of thermal power to meet the demand of power. The Rs 2.2 billion losses referred to by the Auditor General’s report is losses incurred from few shipments of coal. It has not taken into account other shipments and the extra amount of funds that has to be spent for thermal power,” he said.

“The backbenchers in the ruling party should not support Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and should vote in favour of the no-confidence motion, as they should not be part of the scam,” he added.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said the opposition will bring in a no-confidence motion against the Speaker as well. He also said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake could face a court case over coal procurement once his term ends.

Sarwajana Balaya MP Dilith Jayaweera said the coal procurement case could be referred to the Committee to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Supreme Court against those responsible for the scam.

MP Ramanathan Archchuna said some Tamil MPs are slated to vote against the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Power and Energy. “These MPs will be exposed,” he said.

MP Ajith P. Perera said the scam regarding the purchase of coal has been confirmed by the Auditor General. “Our allegation has been confirmed by the Auditor General,” he said.