Patali Pledges Full Disclosure on Coal Deals Since 2009

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today stated that he will fully disclose all facts related to coal transactions carried out since 2009, emphasizing that all details will be revealed with names, leaving nothing concealed.

Speaking as the Leader of the United Republic Front, Ranawaka said that at the committee level, the Auditor General was instructed to submit a complete audit report on coal imports from 2009 to 2016, and that the report has now been submitted along with a large number of important documents as attachments.

He said the entire audit report will be made publicly available to counter what he described as selective extraction of statements and the creation of misleading narratives. In addition to the audit report, Ranawaka said he will also disclose Cabinet papers written by him, letters authored by him, and instructions issued by him to the Ceylon Electricity Board and other institutions.

Ranawaka stated that the matter has already been investigated by the Auditor General’s Department, and that its findings must serve as the starting point and foundation for further scrutiny. He added that during the “good governance” period, a Presidential Commission was appointed under the chairmanship of Justice Upali Abeyratne, describing the commission as critical.

According to Ranawaka, the evidence-leading for the commission was conducted by Ayesha Jinasena, who was then a senior officer of the Attorney General’s Department and is now the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice. He said he possesses the testimony given before the commission and that he himself gave oral evidence for several hours.

He further alleged that the section of the commission report relating to the Ceylon Electricity Board was later removed, claiming this was due to pressure from what he described as fraudulent racketeers. Ranawaka demanded that the removed section be published and tabled in Parliament.

Ranawaka also alleged that in 2012, without informing the relevant ministry or the CEB, the Shipping Corporation, together with several racketeers, imported coal outside the main contract, and that the coal was of inferior quality. He said action was taken not only to object but also to stop the transaction.
He said he eventually resigned from the ministry and exposed the corruption, revealing the matter through his book “Alapalu Arthaikaya” and working toward the removal of the government at the time. He added that a police investigation by the SIU was conducted, during which he personally gave evidence, and that this investigation should also be made public.

Ranawaka said a tender process initiated in 2013 was awarded in late 2015, despite him writing directly to President Maithripala Sirisena urging that the tender not be awarded, particularly since Parliament had been dissolved from June 26. He noted that a complaint was filed with the Bribery Commission by the JVP, but no one appeared to give evidence except him. He said the Bribery Commission now has the authority to revive that case.

Stressing that claims suggesting nothing happened in the past are false, Ranawaka pointed out that during the 2022-23 economic and financial crisis, parliamentary committees again raised questions about coal and fuel imports, and that the Auditor General issued reports on these matters.

Ranawaka said that rather than merely responding to allegations, he intends to expose those responsible. He announced that all material related to coal transactions since 2009, including documents, Cabinet papers, letters to Presidents, public statements, struggles, and his two books “Power and Power” and “Alapalu Arthaikaya,”will be released to the public through a dedicated online portal.

He said those who have spread falsehoods will be compelled to answer, adding that while he answers to the people, legal action will be taken where necessary. He further warned that certain police officers could face charges under the Penal Code if found to have attempted to conceal the coal fraud, stating that such individuals are being actively identified and investigated.