Conflicting Reports on Coal Ship Demurrage Payments and Unloading Delays

A controversy has arisen regarding alleged demurrage payments for coal ships anchored near Norochcholai. Opposition lawmaker D.V. Chanaka claimed that the government is incurring Rs. 5 million daily in additional costs due to delays in unloading two coal vessels. He further warned of a potential Rs. 270 million loss if the coal is damaged, making these statements to a Special Presidential Commission investigating coal import irregularities. However, Minister of Energy, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, directly refuted these claims, stating that no demurrage charges have been paid for any coal ships this year under either main or emergency tenders. Speaking at a press conference, Minister Karunathilaka dismissed reports of such payments as entirely false and misleading.