New hope for CEB with removal of PUCSL too

The news that a former Army Veteran Officer has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the CEB is of much interest.

With former Army Officer Nalinda Illangakoon, a professional with experience and leadership skills, being appointed as Vice-Chairman, CEB, shows that Minister for Power, Dallas Alahapperuma, is earnestly attempting make the CEB an efficient, viable state venture, by rectifying all difficulties which it has faced.

In this regard, the CEB’s major problems have been political interferences and undue encroachment of day-to-day work of the CEB by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka [PUCSL]. It is hoped that with this appointment, with Army discipline, he will keep PUCSL at bay. It would appear PUCSL has taken undue advantage of the provision made in the Act to undertake the administrative functions of the CEB. Is a parallel administration necessary? It is this provision that has caused all the problems in the CEB.

Regarding political interferences, I would cite the delay in awarding the tender on Kerawalapitiya LNG plant, which resulted in the CEB seeking the support of private suppliers. As for PUCSL, I have often mentioned in the press that the delay in approving the Long term, Least Cost Generation plan, finding fault with the CEB for not getting prior permission for power shedding, resulted in PUCSL taking legal action. A matter which the Ministry could have settled, or PUCSL was not satisfied with Ministry findings. An embarrassment and humiliation faced by the Ministry. It is also hoped the Secretary to the Ministry, together with the newly appointed Vice Chairman, could now act and advise the Minister to achieve his ends.

It is also heartening to hear, the Ministry has submitted a Cabinet Paper to scrap PUCSL, which certainly had been the stumbling block in interfering in the internal administration of the CEB.

G.A.D.SIRIMAL

Boralesgamuwa