New Electricity Act defies wishes of people and governance: Marikkar

Saturday, 11 June 2022 01:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar

Opines interim PM and Govt. must come up with a proper plan to boost reserves and stop constantly begging from foreign countries

SJB Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar yesterday charged that the passing of the Electricity Amendment Bill marked another sad juncture in Sri Lanka’s present predicament.

He told the media that at a time the public is desperate for solutions for the ongoing power crisis, the Government has resorted to pave the path for corruption under the guise of pursuing renewable energy.

Marikkar said the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had said Sri Lanka cannot seek further support from India without offering the renewable energy deal to the Adani Group. However, the lack of transparency and tender process for power projects over 100 megawatts stir more questions than answers, the SJB MP charged.

“The Government painted a picture that the Opposition was afraid of the CEB Engineer Unions, and that is why we are opposed to the bill. The Opposition will never come under this mafia. Plus, we will never agree to take money from the people or sell State assets to raise salaries of the union. What we say is, we agree there is no need for the tender process for projects less than 10MW. However, large projects need to be under due process, approved by the CEB and then Parliament so there is transparency on what transpires. The benefits of what transpires on Sri Lankan soil must come to the people of this country. How do we know at what real rate the Adani group or any other would sell power to the public?” Marikkar asked.

He said the Government must not allow other nations to exploit country’s resources using the perilous state of the Sri Lankan economy. Marikkar said the Government must come up with a plan to stop constantly begging and devise ways to stand up with our own feet. The bill that was approved in Parliament and its mechanisms go against the wishes of the people who are agitating for progressive change, he added.