Chairman of the Lanka Coal Company, Shehan Sumanasekera, has actually raised issues about the continuation of operations at the Norochcholai power plant if the needed funds for coal purchase are not obtained.Speaking at a media briefing held this afternoon (04 Feb.), Sumanasekera stated that Rs.
15.3 billion is needed right away for the procurement of coal for the upcoming week, proposing that Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) supply the required quantity in dollars.Explaining the seriousness of the coal crisis, Sumanasekera stated that while payments for such shipments are typically performed in 2 installments-- 30% at the time of the shipment, and 70% when the coal is being unloaded-- 2 of these payments have actually currently been postponed wing to a lack of funds.
We need to make these payments for three coal shipments from 30 January to 03 February.
We have paid the first installment of 30% of Rs.
1.35 billion for one shipment, nevertheless the initial installments for the other two ships are yet to be paid, and these were due on Thursday and Friday of recently , the Chairman said.He further noted that a more complicated circumstance is likely to arise in the upcoming week, as the preliminary payments of 30% to two of the three shipments, and the staying 70% due for all three ships will be contributed to the expense of Rs.
10.74 billion required for coal procurements scheduled for the duration between today (04 Feb.) and 10 February.Thus, Sumanasekera prompted that an instant option be discovered for this crisis, before the power plants run out of coal.
Earlier today, Sumanasekera asked for Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera for USD 12.32 million, amounting to Rs.
4.56 billion, to pay for the three shipments of coal for which payments are past due.