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Sri Lanka's Energy Minister resigns over coal import graft allegations ...
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and ministry secretary Udayanga Hemapala resigned on April 17 following an outcry over coal imports for power generation. Mr Jayakody stepped down to make way for investigations to be carried out into alleged imports of low-quality coal for Sri Lanka’s only coal-fired power plant, according to a statement from the President’s media office.The resignations were handed over to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the morning of April 17.Mr Jayakody is the first high-profile Cabinet minister to resign over corruption allegations and his move comes after he faced a no-confidence motion, which was defeated in Parliament last week.Mr Dissanayake has ordered a full-scale investigation into all coal imports for power generation dating back to 2009 and earlier acknowledged that the low-quality coal supply has impacted the power generation of the state-run Lakvijaya Power Plant.The power plant needs about 2.25 million metric tonnes of coal annually to supply about 40 per cent of Sri Lanka’s power needs, according to a special audit report released earlier in April.Lower power generation pushed Sri Lanka to order 300,000 metric tonnes of emergency coal in March and utilise more diesel and furnace oil for thermal power to bridge the shortfall.Sri Lanka, which is recovering from a severe financial crisis that peaked four years ago, imports all its fuel. Since the start of the Middle East crisis, the island nation rationed fuel and declared every Wednesday a public holiday to manage stocks. REUTERS
Sri Lanka Energy Minister and Secretary Resign to Ensure ... - Newsfirst
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Minister of Power and Energy, Kumara Jayakody, and Ministry Secretary Professor Udayang Hemapala have resigned from their respective posts to facilitate an impartial and independent investigation by the recently appointed Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry into coal imports and related electricity generation processes.The resignations were formally conveyed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake through letters submitted on the afternoon of April 17, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Media Division.Earlier on the same day, President Dissanayake appointed the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry with full powers to investigate whether any irregularities or illegal activities occurred in the importation of coal and coal‑based power generation.The Energy Minister and the Ministry Secretary stated that their decision to step down was taken to support the neutrality, independence, and credibility of the forthcoming investigation.In his resignation letter to the President, Minister Kumara Jayakody said he highly appreciated the President’s firm commitment to combating corruption and upholding the public mandate. He specifically cited the decision to appoint a Special Presidential Commission to investigate coal procurement, as well as the submission of a formal complaint by the Secretary to the President to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) requesting a proper investigation into coal imports dating back to 2009.The Minister stated his belief that the investigations must be carried out in a completely independent and non‑partisan manner. He added that even his continued presence in office during the inquiry could be perceived as an obstacle to that process.On this basis, he said he had decided to resign from his ministerial post with effect from April 17.Meanwhile, Ministry Secretary Professor Udayang Hemapala, in his resignation letter, said he believed stepping down was appropriate in order to ensure that the upcoming investigations proceed without any hindrance and with full institutional independence. He stated that relinquishing his post would help create an environment fully conducive to an impartial inquiry.
Sri Lanka Energy Minister Resigns Amid Coal Import Scandal
Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody stepped down along with ministry secretary Udayanga Hemapala. The decision follows allegations related to coal imports for Sri Lanka's only coal-fired power plant. The resignation was accepted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Authorities stated the step allows an impartial investigation to proceed.
Ex-COPE head questions Prez Secy's intervention in coal scam probe
Herath explained how the British and the US responded to such situations. Unfortunately, here in Sri Lanka apparently the COPE was being used to clear the Minister concerned while holding the officials responsible for the coal scandal.
