No damage to machinery at Norochcholai Power Plant from recently imported coal: COPE

12 March 2026 04:13 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 11 Bookmark

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Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Colombo, March 12 (Daily Mirror) - No damage has been caused to the machinery of the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai due to the use of recently imported coal, Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera said.

He confirmed that the power plant is operating properly and, while there is a slight reduction in electricity generation, it does not pose a problem for the country's current energy requirements.

The Chairman said that the plant has the necessary coal stocks for future use and urged the public not to be misled by rumours until the ongoing investigations are concluded.

He made these remarks during a site inspection of the Lakvijaya Power Plant conducted by the Committee on Public Enterprises recently.

During this inspection, the Committee examined the entire process from the unloading of coal to the generation of electricity. Attention was focused on activities including coal unloading, storage, random sampling, sample testing, and operations within the main control room.

The Committee observed that it is vital to have an independent, accredited laboratory established within the country to test the quality of imported coal used for power generation.

The COPE Chairman emphasised that since there are issues regarding the collection and delivery of these samples, the process must be upgraded to prevent future problems. He stressed that coal should be tested by an independent accredited laboratory and that the power plant’s internal laboratory should be calibrated according to globally accepted methods.

Addressing public concerns regarding the quality of imported coal and its impact on power generation, the Chairman noted that because the quality of the imported coal does not fall within the optimal range for generation at the Lakvijaya plant, there is a certain reduction in the amount of electricity generated.

He stated that the Committee intends to investigate whether this situation was intentional, based on the findings of this site visit and upcoming audit reports covering the entire process from the start of coal importation to the present.

Comments - 11

Mizaru Thursday, 12 March 2026 04:45 PM

Good, the buck stops there. I am waiting for the "No Confidence Motion" that is to be submitted by SJB energy expert Marikkar. These experts will have to debate the motion in real time and I am waiting to listen to there questions and answers.

10 9

Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 12 March 2026 05:39 PM

Why can't the engineers running the plant or a committee of expert engineers issue a statement? Then there's some believability as this individual is a politician.

2 17

Realistica Adams Friday, 13 March 2026 05:29 AM

How come the Pacha Dr is now asking for a statement appointed by a committee appointed by a Pacha government?

1 2

Iwazaru Friday, 13 March 2026 08:13 AM

It is a known fact that CEB employee ate a lot of pork, from top to bottom. This is the best was for the investigation.

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Lion Thursday, 12 March 2026 05:53 PM

Our opposition has already seen whit smoke , Daya siri had seen black smoke , they have checked the machineries too and noted that waste of machineries are much more. Minister wait till their report comes to take remedial action.

10 7

Realistica Adams Thursday, 12 March 2026 07:36 PM

This action by COPE is commendable. Getting the facts by a proper investigation, without shouting like mad dogs and confusing people, is the right way to go. Something has gone wrong in the coal tender and the root cause must be found out. If there has been deliberate action to sabotage or make money corruptly, CID must be called in and culprits, whoever they are, politicians or officials, must be brought before the law.

1 14

Cheers Friday, 13 March 2026 12:30 AM

Another Dobi of the anura kumara government trying to hide embarrassment of the jvp failed government

1 6

Realistica Adams Friday, 13 March 2026 05:31 AM

It will be another joke like the previous NCMs which never materialised

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L Jaya Friday, 13 March 2026 05:47 AM

This bloke not a technical guru, he repeats what his "gajayas" say. Where did he complete his MBBS and what was the period of service before becoming a politicians. As I heard from other sources, the machines get overheated to generate the power to the limit. In this process the metal get reduced life time.

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S P Friday, 13 March 2026 12:02 PM

No further proof is necessary. Just have a look at yesterday’s ex-CEB generation profile (published today - Fri 13/03/2026). Norochcholai (used to generate 900MW) was despatching only 735MW to the system while it’s supposed to despatch 810MW (allowing for its internal consumption of 3x30MW - 90MW) - a 10% or 81MW reduction. This 81MW deficit had been generated using very expensive thermal oil (3 times of coal). The long term effect to the machines (like clogging of conveyor belt machinery) and the environment (by excess fly ash) is yet to be assessed but this additional thermal oil generation (by diesel etc) needed to supply the deficit itself shows the impact of this botched tender. No amount of argument can clean it up. Technical evidence itself is pretty striking for everyone to see!

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Realistica Adams Friday, 13 March 2026 06:58 PM

Technical evidence or mudslinging shamelessly? Your comments are never evidence based, just simply anti government rhetoric.

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