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Suspension of costly private power purchase, Covid give relief to CEB
‘Quite baffling Rs 2.8 bn standing charge, Rs 300 mn rent undermined state enterprise’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The suspension of power purchases from three Independent Power Producers (IPPs) namely Ace Power Matara (20 MW), Ace Power Embilipitiya (100 MW) and Asia Power Sapugaskanda (50 MW) had contributed to the improvement of the financial situation at the CEB, authoritative sources told The Island.
Sources said that the CEB had suspended the agreements on 01 March pending re-negotiation with IPPs as it was felt the annual standing charge alone for three power stations amounted to Rs. 2.8 bn was unfair by the procurer. The decision had been taken at the behest of the then Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, who relentlessly pushed for measures required to ease the burden on the cash-strapped state enterprise, sources said, adding that the increase in hydropower output that automatically lessened the country’s dependence on private diesel plants and a significant drop in the demand for electricity due to the crisis caused by the raging Covid-19 epidemic had eased pressure on the CEB. The electricity regulator (PUCSL) is having negotiations with IPPs to finalise approval of a four-year extension of contracts.
Sources said that during Alahapperuma’s tenure as the Power Minister the government had taken the furnace-oil fueled power plants off the national grid, thereby greatly reducing toxic fumes emitted by them.
The three IPPs had strongly pushed for extensions on the basis that being furnace-oil-fired, they were much cheaper for the CEB than auto-diesel-powered plants.
The PUCSL didn’t respond to The Island query regarding the status of CEB’s agreements with Asia Power and ACE Power Embilipitiya as well as Matara? The PUCSL also didn’t explain its role in the discussions with the IPPs.
Gamini Lokuge, last wee, replaced Alahapperuma as the Power Minister, in a mini-cabinet re-shuffle. Alahapperuma received the media portfolio. Sources said that in spite of the ministerial change the Power Ministry was expected to continue with Alahapperuma’s initiatives to curb waste, corruption and other irregularities.
Sources said that two days after Alahapperuma’s exit, the ministry had launched a major building project at Narahenpita to bring all its offices located at different places under one roof. Sources said that the government spent staggering Rs 300 mn annually on renting 37 buildings in Colombo and its suburbs.
Power Ministry spokesperson Sulakshana Jayawardana was not immediately available for comment.
Sources said that though the government had suspended major construction projects due to severe financial constraints, the then power minister Alahapperuma had received the go ahead from Cabinet for the Narahenpita project after he had explained the long-term benefits of it.
Alahapperuma was shifted from the Power ministry to the Media portfolio the day before he was to complete one-year there. Several weeks before the Cabinet reshuffle, CEB Chairman Eng. Vijitha Herath was replaced by M.M.C. Ferdinando. Ferdinando served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure.
Major changes took place at the Power ministry in spite of significant improvements at the ministry with the CEB making a profit in the second quarter since 2010.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
