Unusual smoke billows from Lak Wijeya plant, people worried over environmental problem

7 March 2026 10:11 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

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By Pathma Kumari Kankanamge

Colombo, March 7 (Daily Mirror) - Residents of the area expressed concern about environmental pollution caused by the unusual emission of white smoke emanating from the Lak Wijeya thermal power complex at Norochcholai, a phenomenon suspected to be the result of the use of substandard coal.

Coal imports for the plant are mired in controversy due to the low quality supplies and a flawed tender process. Norochcholai is the only coal power plant in Sri Lanka.

A farmer in Ilanthadiya village in close proximity to the power complex said the emission had increased by last morning and that the people were concerned regarding the adverse effects to their health arising from air pollution.

Several others attributed it to the use of substandard coal.

However, Engineers from the power plant who refuted it said smoke was due to a technical defect and that it would be put in order within the course of day. They further said normal generation of power had reduced but not to the extent of requiring a power cut.

Meanwhile, Manager of the Power Complex P.P.M.Bamunusinghe refused to comment on the issue.

Comments - 12

Dr. Dee esquire Saturday, 07 March 2026 10:22 AM

Our government full of specialist doctors, professors, proctors, lawyers and all types of professionals will take control of matters! Nothing to worry about!

15 0

The Defeated Thieves Saturday, 07 March 2026 10:23 AM

People are not worried about crushers, people are not worried about deforesting Sinharaja, people are not worried about Ambuluwawa, people are not worried about bottom trawling, people are not worried about any number of things. Isn't this agenda-driven, loser opposition hyped, media circus?

0 15

Sohan Saturday, 07 March 2026 10:26 AM

Investigate the guy Mahawatte. Fellow seems to have got a huge amount of money to defend poor quality coal. Check his and relatives bank accounts and phone.

13 0

Lokka Saturday, 07 March 2026 10:36 AM

Media is trying to create an another problem after creating a petrol Queues in the island which is no more to be seen now

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Jews Saturday, 07 March 2026 10:53 AM

Killing the civilians high time for a change

16 0

Mizaru Saturday, 07 March 2026 11:24 AM

"A phenomenon suspected to be the result of the use of substandard coal". I am from the era where stream locomotives rules our railways. It stream locomotives blew a thick black smoke from it chimney and the colour depended on the weather.

0 11

Iwazaru Saturday, 07 March 2026 11:26 AM

Can Daily Mirror educate me as to what happens when the shopping bags collected by the garbage collectors incinerated?

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check Saturday, 07 March 2026 11:35 AM

So did the several others attributing it to the use of substandard coal, include pundits like Weerawansa Gammanpila Rohitha Namal Sajith Rahuman Ajith Perera.

0 1

Truth seeker Saturday, 07 March 2026 01:01 PM

Bull shit , don’t give publicity to fake news

0 1

Jill Saturday, 07 March 2026 04:43 PM

This sort of a thing never happened during right honorable Mahinda sir's time. This is only because the current government is cursed. They continuously kept lying about poor construction and fraudulent contracts and the gods are showing their displeasure through the white smoke. So what the Hon. Rajapakse's benefited a little bit? Hon. Namal sir with the beautiful Indonesian face looks good in a Hermes belt! They deserve to be able to afford those for all the sacrifices and hard work throughout the generations. They're our royals, we need to support them. Only a tiny fraction from each individual cost for maintaining them.

1 1

Question Saturday, 07 March 2026 11:23 PM

Does Jack also agree with you.

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Deepthi de silva Saturday, 07 March 2026 05:30 PM

Generally, the white smoke emitted from coal power plants is just water vapor.

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