• PUCSL Chief Janaka Ratnayake says CEB had no justification for their request 
• Affirms 1 hour and 20 minutes power cut to remain 
• Earlier PUCSL warned of losing 900 MW power due to unavailability of coal 
• Despite tug of war between authorities, 7.8 m 
• electricity users waiting for favourable, long-lasting solution to power crisis

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday announced that it has declined the request of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to extend the duration of the daily power cuts to two hours and 20 minutes.

“The CEB request for longer power cuts from tomorrow was declined, as they could not justify the proper reasons for the extended power cuts,” PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

Against this backdrop, he affirmed the approval was only given to continue the prevailing power cut schedule of one hour and 20 minutes. 

Earlier this month, PUCSL Chief Ratnayake warned that Sri Lanka might lose 900 MW of coal power generation due to the unavailability of sufficient stocks, whilst pointing out the ramifications of it will have to be borne by the public with ‘longer’ power outages.

“We need to ensure that the current power generation plan is not confused for the benefit of all citizens. We must procure sufficient coal at least by early next month for the sake of the public and the economy at large,” he stressed.

He said the remaining coal stocks are only sufficient till the last week of October, and if the Government or the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is not allowed to import, there is a high possibility that the Norochcholai plant will be forced into a shutdown resulting in long power cut hours.

Lanka Coal Ltd. called for tenders for the procurement of 4.5 million tons of coal and the revelations thereafter have stirred much controversy since then. Considering the seriousness of the matter, it was also taken up at the Cabinet meeting on 12 September, where the Ministers unanimously agreed to seek the advice of the Attorney General to resolve the legal dispute concerning the $ 1.5 billion coal procurement, to avoid longer power outages from the latter part of October.

Separately, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera also officially requested the Committee of Public Finance (COPF) Chairman and MP Dr. Harsha de Silva to conduct an inquiry on the procurement of coal. 

Amidst the tug of war between authorities, 7.8 million electricity users in the country are awaiting favourable and long-lasting solutions to the ongoing power crisis.

Power Minister holds talks with multi-religious leaders, civil societies