Power and Energy Minister seeks action against PUCSL Chief

• Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says he will respond legally to allegations of PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake
• Last week PUCSL Chief claimed CPC refined, distributed furnace oil had a higher content of sulphur 
• Asserts they could not use stock to generate power at West Coast power plant
• Minister shares request letter sent by CEB to PUCSL, but it was dated 22 Sept.
• PUCSL green-lighted over 2 hours upon receiving detailed request from CEB on 22 Sept.

Power and Energy Ministry Kanchana Wijesekera

Public Utilities Commission Chairman Janaka Ratnayake

Power and Energy Ministry Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday said legal action against the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Chairman will be sought over his allegations on the quality of crude oil imported recently.

“The CPC has adequate stocks of diesel and fuel oil,” he tweeted. However, he explained that the extended power cuts were requested by the Ceylon Electricity Board due to a breakdown at Lakshapana and insufficient funds at CEB for diesel, fuel oil, and hydro management.

Minister Wijesekera said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will respond legally to the claims of the PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake. 

On 22 September, PUCSL Chairman Ratnayake claimed the power cut duration has been extended to over two hours, as the furnace oil refined and distributed by the CPC had a higher content of sulphur. Thus, it was not possible to use it for power generation at the West Coast power plant.

Ratnayake revealed that the average content of sulphur in furnace oil is 2%, but the CPC-provided stock had 3% sulphur content.Hours later, the Minister again shared pictures of the CEB requisition letter sent to the PUCSL Chairman.

“The request made by CEB to PUCSL detailing the reasons for extending the power cuts,” Wijesekera said. 

Although the electricity regulator denied the CEB request made on 21 September citing their request had no rationale, on 22 September the PUCSL approved an over two-hour power cut upon receiving detailed reasoning.

The letter shared by the Minister via Twitter had the date stated as 22 September. 

“Furnace oil and diesel are used at a minimum to reduce the cost of power generation by CEB. Furnace oil and diesel will be made available by CPC for power generation on the requirements of CEB,” Minister Wijesekera said.