Minister of Power Anura Karunathilaka stated in Parliament today that the total loss incurred by Sri Lanka due to recently imported substandard coal amounts to Rs. 15.765 billion.
He noted that the National System Operator (NSO) spent Rs. 8.571 billion to purchase electricity from alternative sources to compensate for the power generation capacity (megawatt-hours) lost due to the use of this substandard coal.
The Minister further stated that ‘Electricity Distribution Lanka (Private) Limited’ (EDL) incurred an additional cost of Rs. 7.912 billion for expenses—including the maintenance of extra coal stocks, essential maintenance work, and handling charges—resulting from the supply of this substandard coal. He stated that although the government imposed and recovered fines totaling Rs. 16.989 billion and retained the performance bonds of the supplier who provided substandard coal, the total financial loss resulting from the substandard coal is estimated at Rs. 15.765 billion.