CEB says unable to guarantee uninterrupted power; energy minister calls for power cuts

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) insists that there is no need to impose power cuts for next three months, but the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) yesterday (17) said that it was not in a position ensure an uninterrupted power supply due to the ongoing fuel crisis.

CEBEU President Anil Ranjith said that the situation continued to deteriorate.

The official urged the consumers to use electricity sparingly as water levels had receded considerably in the reservoirs.

“We have enough coal stocks until August. No sufficient fuel stocks have been received yet at the Kelanitissa Power Station . If the water levels of the reservoirs recede further, we will have to face serious problems,” Ranjith said.

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila told The Island that the CEB should have effected power cuts several weeks bac. Had those responsible imposed a daily 90 minute power cut beginning early January, the country would have been in a better position to manage both foreign currency and a fuel crises, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila said. Sensible recommendation made by him in his capacity as the Energy Minister had been ignored, the leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya said.

Minister Gammanpila said that the CEB, too, should take the blame for the current crisis as it failed to anticipate the sharp drop in hydro power generation (SF)