Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) substandard coal procurement - Presidential Commission of Inquiry
Current status of the Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) substandard coal procurement - Presidential Commission of Inquiry
Inquiry into the procurement of coal for the Lakvijaya power plant at Norochcholai, after coal supplied for the 2025-26 season was reported to have failed the required quality standard. A National Audit Office report presented to Parliament on 8 Apr 2026 reported irregularities in the procurement, including that the supplier had not completed registration when awarded the tender. Kumara Jayakody was Minister of Energy during the period and resigned on 17 Apr 2026, saying his presence could hinder an impartial inquiry. He has not been arrested or charged in connection with coal. This matter is separate from his Lanka Fertilizer indictment.
What’s happened
A Presidential Commission of Inquiry (Supreme Court Justice Gihan Kulatunga, chair) was appointed on 17 Apr 2026 to examine coal purchases up to 16 Apr 2026. Jayakody gave a recorded statement to the Commission on 30 Jun 2026. On 30 Sep 2026 the Commission reportedly notified 18 persons, including him, that they were alleged to have been involved in certain improper actions relating to coal transactions, and invited responses. That notice is not a charge or a finding. A complaint was also reported lodged with the CID in April 2026; no CID or CIABOC action naming him as a suspect has been reported. No court hearing is fixed.
- Court
- Presidential Commission of Inquiry (not a court)
- Next hearing / due
- Next hearing not confirmed
Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) substandard coal procurement - Presidential Commission of Inquiry timeline
- 30 June 2026
Questioned
Jayakody was questioned for about two hours by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into coal procurement and gave a recorded statement after a formal summons. (One outlet dates this 1 Jul 2026.)
Court: Presidential Commission of Inquiry
Sources (2)