Special PCOI With Full Powers To All Probe Coal Transactions

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka has appointed a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry with full powers to investigate whether any irregularities or illegal activities occurred in the importation of coal and the generation of electricity in Sri Lanka.

The commission has been established in terms of the provisions of Section 2 of the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Act No. 7 of 1978, read with the amended provisions of the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry (Special Provisions) Act No. 4 of 1978.

The scope of the inquiry covers the entire period from the commencement of coal‑based electricity generation in Sri Lanka up to 16 April 2026, focusing on coal imports and electricity production carried out by the state‑owned Lanka Coal (Private) Limited or its successors.

Supreme Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga has been appointed as Chairman of the Commission.

The other members are Court of Appeal Judge Aditya Patabendige and High Court Judge Sanjeeva Somaratne.

Former Secretary to a State Ministry, P. V. Bandulasena, has been appointed as Secretary to the Commission.

The Commission has been mandated to determine whether irregularities or unlawful acts occurred in the procurement processes related to coal imports, and if so, to assess whether such actions resulted in financial losses to the Government.

It will also examine whether coal imported during the relevant period met prescribed quality standards, and investigate the entire chain of related processes, including procurement procedures, supply mechanisms, quality‑testing processes, operational activities, and utilization processes.

In addition, the Commission will determine whether electricity generation using imported coal achieved expected levels of efficiency and productivity.

Where substandard coal may have been imported, the Commission is tasked with examining whether any legal or financial irregularities or illegal acts occurred during the electricity generation process as a result.

The inquiry will further assess whether any declared terms or contractual conditions were breached, and if so, whether corrective actions such as suspension of payments or other compensatory measures were implemented.

If such incidents are established, the Commission is empowered to identify responsible political authorities, Government officials, officials of Lanka Coal (Private) Limited, suppliers, or their representatives, and to recommend appropriate future actions against them.

The Commission has also been tasked with proposing measures to prevent the recurrence of such misconduct or illegal activities in the future and to ensure proper accountability.

Beyond the specified matters, the Commission will report on any other irregularities or unlawful acts that may be identified in relation to coal imports and coal‑based electricity generation, and recommend measures to prevent such situations from arising again.