Sri Lanka, Jan. 19 -- The purchase of questionable, inferior-quality coal could lead to power cuts, as the capacity of the consignment already procured is insufficient, an opposition MP warned yesterday.

Opposition MP S.M. Marikar, who is also Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure Development and Strategic Development, told the media that an additional 341 metric tonnes of coal would be required to operate the Lakvijaya Power Plant at full capacity.He said the required consignment could not be brought into the country before April this year, a situation that could create a power shortage and eventually result in power cuts.

Marikar further stated that Sri Lanka would have to spend an additional Rs. 10 billion to...