Allegations of inferior quality coal are true: Lal Kantha

Colombo, Feb. 23 (Daily Mirror) - While admitting the allegations on inferior quality coal, Minster of Agriculture Lal Kantha said today there has been no fraud or corruption behind the coal supply tender.

The Minister told reporters that there is a mechanism and a criteria to recover the loss caused to the government due to the supply of inferior quality coal.

Responding to a question, he said the government will act according to the criteria to recover the losses caused to the country.

"The allegations that inferior quality coal has been supplied is true. But, there has been no fraud or corruption behind the coal tender. The allegations are mere claims," he said.

The Minister said the government is adopting transparent procurement procedures when offering tenders now, whereas suppliers were selected only after Cabinet decisions during previous regimes.