Coal ship dispute deepens as Energy Minister warns rejection may threaten steady electricity supply amid ash-quality concerns.
Coal ship rejection could place Sri Lanka’s continuous electricity supply under serious strain, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka has warned.
The Minister said the third coal ship imported through the emergency procurement process may still be usable, despite concerns raised over its quality.
He stressed that the ash percentage in the coal consignment is only marginally above the required specification.
Speaking to the media, Karunathilaka said test reports carried out by Bureau Veritas showed that the ash content in the coal exceeded the approved limit by just 0.6%.
He also noted that there was no concern over heat generation, as the calorific value of the coal remained between 5995 and 6008.
Explaining the practical consequences of refusing the shipment, the Minister said the monsoon season begins from mid-May, making it impossible to unload coal again until next September.
He said that if the ship is rejected, the country would be forced to depend on other thermal power sources to recover the lost electricity generation, while there is not enough time to purchase fresh coal.
Karunathilaka acknowledged that the coal consignment is below the expected standard, but said it can still be used for electricity generation at the Norochcholai coal power plant.
He added that steps have already been taken to begin legal action over the quality concerns linked to the shipment.
Relevant officials are now studying the legal position, while discussions are continuing on whether a fine can be imposed on the supplier or whether part of the total payment can be withheld due to the higher ash percentage.
The Minister said a final decision will be taken after considering the available options, with priority given to maintaining uninterrupted electricity supply.
