As controversy swirls around substandard coal imports, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva insists the real story is not ministerial resignation, but a transparent tender process that has disrupted entrenched political-business interests.
Participating in a discussion on Independent Television, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva stated that the minister concerned should not resign over the ongoing issues related to the coal tender. He emphasized that resignation is a personal decision and stressed that the coal import process under the current government has been carried out transparently and in line with proper procurement procedures.
Tilvin Silva revealed that under previous governments, individuals who served as Ministers of Energy and others had jointly established a coal company in Dubai. According to him, coal was imported through that company without a formal tender process, allowing those involved to make substantial profits.
He explained that the current government dismantled that system and introduced a proper and competitive tender procedure. Under this process, the contract was awarded to the company that submitted the lowest bid, ensuring fairness and transparency in coal procurement.
Tilvin Silva accused companies linked to former politicians of spreading allegations and creating controversy because they lost the tender under the new system. Addressing concerns over coal quality, he stated that since the government followed the correct tender process, responsibility does not lie with the government or the minister.
“We have not done anything wrong, we have followed the tender procedure,” he said. He further noted that if any coal imported is found to be substandard, legal penalties will be imposed on the supplier, adding that such fines have already been levied in accordance with the law.
