“No damage caused to machinery at Lakvijaya Power Plant”

2026-03-12 - 15:29

Dr Nishantha Samaraweera, Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) in Parliament, states that no damage has been caused to the relevant machinery at the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant through the use of coal recently imported to the country. The Chairman made this statement while participating in an on-site inspection of the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant on the 6th of this month. He noted that the power plant is functioning properly and that although there had been a slight reduction in electricity generation, it does not pose a problem at present in view of the country’s current energy requirements. He also requested the public not to be misled by various reports until an investigation into the matter is completed, adding that the power plant has sufficient coal stocks required for future operations. During the inspection, all activities related to the process, from the unloading of coal to the generation of electricity using coal, were examined. The Committee focused its attention on several aspects including the unloading of coal, storage procedures, the collection of random samples, sample testing, and operational activities at the main control room. Through its observations, the Committee on Public Enterprises revealed that when importing coal for electricity generation, it is important that the quality of the coal imported into the country be tested through an accredited independent laboratory established within the country. The Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant located at Narakkalliya in the Kalpitiya Peninsula was constructed to meet the country’s electricity demand. As the largest and only coal-fired power plant in Sri Lanka, it supplies electricity to the national grid with a gross capacity of more than 900MW. Approximately 35%–40% of the country’s electricity requirements are generated by this power plant. It was also revealed during discussions with the plant manager and other officials that the power plant is operated by a workforce of around 845 employees attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board. The plant possesses a yard covering 47 acres for storing coal after it is unloaded. It was also revealed that the plant has laboratory facilities required for sample testing as well as equipment necessary to examine real-time data related to electricity generation. The Committee observed that, due to certain problematic situations in the process of testing the quality of imported coal, it would be appropriate to improve that procedure. The Committee further highlighted the importance of conducting these tests through an accredited independent laboratory established within the country.