CEB assures SC no power cuts till HRCSL court case is over

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday assured the Supreme Court that it would refrain from imposing power cuts till the Contempt of Court application filed by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is taken up for consideration, and the matter is concluded.

The matter was called up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices P. Padman Surasena, Yasatha Kodagoda and Shiran Gunaratne yesterday.

On 30 January, the HRCSL filed a case before the Supreme Court against the Power and Energy Ministry and Ceylon Electricity Board citing failure to enforce the pledge reached by all parties.

Power and Energy Ministry Secretary, CEB Chairman and the Attorney-General have been cited as respondents for failing to follow the directive to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity from 26 January to 17 February till the end of the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination.

President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa appearing for the CEB made the assurance to the Supreme Court that continuous power will be supplied during the said period. 

The application will be taken up for consideration today. 

The Commission said it treats the said blatant disregard of the CEB to provide an uninterrupted electricity supply during the examination period as a gross violation of a child’s right to education.

The Commission found the unbecoming and outrageous behaviour of the State Officials of the CEB as an intentional affront to justice and contempt of the HRCSL.

The Commission reiterates the position that the sole purpose of this intervention is only to ensure the rights of citizens and in particular that of the A/L candidates are duly honoured.

HRCSL assures its continuous efforts in upholding the rule of law of the country and the fundamental rights of its citizens.