Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has alleged that Sri Lanka has already imported 10 ships carrying substandard coal in violation of tender conditions, with plans underway to bring in 15 more such shipments.
According to Ranawaka, the coal is being imported through an Indian company named Iden, which he claims lacks proven experience in large-scale coal supply.
He charged that although the company secured the tender by underquoting by just USD 1.50 per metric ton, it is allegedly making an unjust profit of around USD 30 per ton by supplying low-quality coal.
Ranawaka further accused the government of concealing the truth about what he described as a corrupt deal. He urged authorities to immediately cancel tenders awarded to companies that fail to meet technical specifications and to take swift action to prevent further public hardship, including the resurgence of fuel and gas queues.
