We, as the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), have on several occasions informed the country that a highly corrupt transaction has taken place in the process of importing coal, which is a major energy source for electricity generation in Sri Lanka.
We also lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption regarding the irregularities in this tender for substandard coal. However, no action appears to have been taken so far.
Despite the evidence we presented regarding the fraud involving the import of low-quality coal, the current National People’s Power (NPP) government dismissed our claims and has been acting arrogantly, attempting to conceal its wrongdoing from the public.
In addition to the revelations made by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the resignation statement made by the former chairman of the coal company, the findings revealed during the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the report of the Public Utilities Commission all exposed the real situation of the financial losses caused by the burning of substandard coal.
Subsequently, the Auditor General’s report revealed the irregularities from the tender process to the importation of coal, and the extent of financial losses caused to the country.
However, while the government continued to deny all these allegations, a recently released audio recording related to the emergency procurement of coal created widespread public controversy.
The chairman of the coal company has now confirmed the authenticity of that audio recording. Furthermore, we have already filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the names mentioned in the recording and their connections to the coal procurement process.
We have on multiple occasions exposed alleged under-the-table dealings between well-known businessmen in the country and ministers of the current government, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. It is now becoming evident that this coal procurement deal is another such incident.
As allegations against them are being revealed one by one, the government, which remained silent until now, has begun staging another drama.
The resignation of the corrupt minister and the ministry secretary is an attempt to divert public attention from the multi-billion-rupee loss caused to the country through the importation of substandard coal.
We believe that the minister in charge of the subject, the President as the head of the Cabinet, and the entire Cabinet collectively bear responsibility for this corrupt transaction that began from the tender process itself.
However, it was clearly seen by the entire country that during Parliament on Friday (10), all 153 members of the National People’s Power defended Electricity Minister Kumara Jayakody, thereby betraying the trust placed in them by the people during the election.
We, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, emphasize that we will take legal action in the future regarding the massive financial loss caused to the country and the taxpayers through this corrupt coal procurement, and we strongly state that we will take all possible steps against the corrupt activities of this government.
