Coal Import Inquiry Extended to December 2026

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended the deadline for the Presidential Commission of Inquiry examining coal import practices and coal-fired power generation operations in Sri Lanka. The commission, which was investigating allegations of irregularities in the sector, has been granted additional time to complete its investigation and prepare its final report.

The extension was granted under Section 4 of the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Law, No. 7 of 1978, a legal provision that allows the President to prolong inquiry deadlines when additional time is deemed necessary for thorough investigation. The new submission date of December 16, 2026, provides the commission with an extended period to examine complex financial and operational matters related to coal procurement and energy generation.

The inquiry was established to examine potential irregularities in Sri Lanka's coal import procedures and the management of coal-powered electricity generation facilities. Such commissions typically investigate allegations of financial impropriety, procedural violations, or mismanagement in significant national projects.

The extension reflects the scope and complexity of the investigation into the nation's energy sector operations. Findings from the commission are expected to provide insights into governance practices within Sri Lanka's coal-related import and power generation activities.

Photo: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his official portrait, November 2024. Channa udeepa jayawardhane via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).