Lanka Coal Company Audit Officer Raises Concerns Over Procurement Procedure
An audit officer of the Lanka Coal Company has raised concerns over delays and procedural irregularities in the submission of procurement documents related to Sri Lanka’s coal imports, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating coal transactions was informed.
Lanka Coal Company Audit Officer Indra Kumari made the revelations while giving evidence before the Commission on Tuesday (18).
According to Kumari, the proper procurement procedure requires the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant to first submit formal documentation specifying the quantity of coal required before the Lanka Coal Company begins the procurement process.
However, she told the Commission that procurement documents had in some instances been submitted to the relevant ministry based on estimates prepared by the Lanka Coal Company, without first obtaining the required documentation from the Lakvijaya Power Plant.
The audit officer emphasized that the Lanka Coal Company was responsible for obtaining and verifying the power plant’s actual coal requirements before initiating procurement proceedings.
Questions Over Coal Procurement Process
Kumari also provided information regarding a company identified as Potensia, which participated in the bidding process for the 2024–2025 coal import season.
According to her testimony, Potensia entered the procurement process with a bid that was lower than those submitted by competing bidders.
The Commission was also informed that the Lanka Coal Company had failed to provide information requested for the preparation of an audit report concerning the period relevant to the coal imports under investigation.
Kumari said several letters requesting the necessary information had been sent to the company, but responses were not received.
She added that reminder letters were subsequently issued, but the requested information was still not provided.
As a result, the lack of cooperation and missing documentation made it extremely difficult to complete the final audit report, she told the Commission.
The Presidential Commission is continuing its examination of procurement procedures, documentation and other matters relating to Sri Lanka’s coal imports.
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