Cabinet paper to seek policy directions for CEB and PUCSL

Tuesday, 21 November 2017 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ministry Secy. “fed up” of resolving issues
Construction of Kerawalapitya LNG power plant to begin in six weeks

By Skandha Gunasekara

The Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, B.M.S. Batagoda, is to submit a Cabinet proposal seeking a Cabinet decision on policy directions to resolve the conflict between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).

Batagoda told the Daily FT that both the CEB and PUSCL have been clashing, especially with regards to the implementation of long term-power generation plans.

“We want a Cabinet decision on what are the policies that must be followed by the CEB. Once a Cabinet decision has been made neither the CEB nor the PUCSL can object to each other’s decisions as has been done in the past.”

At present, several projects have been put forward by the PUCSL as part of its long-term power generation plan but have been delayed, some indefinitely, as the CEB has not agreed with the proposals.

Batagoda said he had been forced to intervene in various disagreements between the two state entities.

“They don’t want to work together. The two institutes do not discuss or negotiate. For example if the CEB proposes a 300 MW power plant, instead of discussing the proposal the PUCSL will reject it. I’m always intervening. I’m getting fed up. Two state institutes must work hand-in-hand, not undercut each other,” he said. Adding that he hoped a Cabinet decision would compel the officials of the CEB and the PUCSL to negotiate and work in harmony.

With regards to the delays in the implementations of the listed projects under the long-term power generation plan, Batagoda said that the report of the Technical Evaluation Committee on the Kerawalapitiya LNG power plant should be completed by the end of this week.

“I have directed the Technical Evaluation Committee to hand over its report by the end of the week. I think the construction of the Kerawalapitiya power plant should begin within six weeks.”