Colombo is grappling with a potential energy crisis after the Indian company Trident Chamfer, contracted to supply 25 coal ships for power generation in 2026, has delivered only 13 vessels so far, with none arriving in the past 10 days. Pubudu Jayagoda, Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party, warned that the delay could jeopardize Sri Lanka’s coal supply, especially as peace in the Western Sea is expected by the end of April. He noted that while the company initially agreed to a $15 transportation fee per metric ton of coal, shipping costs have surged by an additional $11 due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, raising concerns that the company may renege on its contract entirely.
Jayagoda’s statements came during a protest in Colombo on March 8, highlighting growing public frustration over the uncertainty surrounding the nation’s energy security. Officials and industry experts fear that continued delays could disrupt electricity generation and exacerbate existing power shortages across the country. The government has yet to comment on contingency plans if Trident Chamfer fails to fulfill its commitment.
In a related political development, the Colombo High Court has appointed Judge Rashantha Godawela to hear the first corruption case against a minister in the current JVP-NPP government. Energy Minister Punya Sri Kumara Jayakody faces allegations from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) that he caused a financial loss exceeding Rs. 8.8 million by granting undue benefits to a private company while serving as Procurement Manager at Lanka Fertiliser Company Limited in 2014. The indictment claims he favored D.S. Construction and Earth Movers Ltd in a contract for interlocking stones.
Minister Jayakody, however, rejected the allegations as a politically motivated attack tied to his current ministerial position, asserting that all transactions followed the formal tender procedures at the time. He confirmed that he will appear in court to prove his innocence and will not resign until the verdict is delivered. Meanwhile, the opposition plans to submit a no-confidence motion against him next week, setting the stage for intensified political scrutiny amid an already volatile energy situation.
