Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated in Parliament today that a special audit report on the coal procurement process for the Lakvijaya Power Plant for the 2025-2026 season has already been submitted to Parliament. He emphasized that it is unethical to add new information regarding past coal procurements to this report after it has been presented and copies have been distributed to Members of Parliament, in line with parliamentary tradition.
However, Premadasa noted that it is entirely appropriate to investigate and discuss previous procurement matters separately. According to reports, in addition to the current audit report, another report covering other issues is ready to be submitted through the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). He stressed that a formal investigation should be conducted into the transactions during those periods, and the resulting report should be presented to Parliament. Failing to do so would undermine the independence of the Auditor General and violate the privileges of Members of Parliament.
Premadasa also pointed out that adding past procurement matters to the current audit report violates the principle of non-influence. On the grounds of accountability and upholding proper values, he insisted that previous procurement issues be investigated separately and formally, and presented independently from the Lakvijaya Power Plant audit report, which they strongly object to.
