Power cut duration to reduce in festive season

• PUCSL Chief Janaka Rathnayake says country has received stocks of fuel for power generation
• Asserts key objective of the Commission is to provide relief to people
• Points to unavailability of Power and Energy Minister as a major concern

 

Electricity regulator, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday said that it hopes to reduce the duration of power cuts in the upcoming festive season.

“It would be possible to reduce the duration of power cuts in the upcoming festive season as well as in the weekend,” PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayaka told journalists yesterday.

He also assured that money has been allocated to pay for a consignment of diesel in a ship anchored at the port for the past week.

In addition, Rathnayake said the country is getting the fuel through the Indian Credit Line, whilst noting that the country had received a shipment of furnace oil ordered previously for electricity generation purpose.

He added that the power cuts will be effective for the planned six and a half hours till today.

“The key objective of the Commission is to provide relief to the people, at every opportunity,” Rathnayake pointed out.

He also pointed out that the absence of a Power and Energy Minister to overcome the prevailing challenges in the sector was a major concern.

“There are many critical policy decisions that need to be taken and implemented to overcome the electricity crisis that we all experience. We need leadership to resolve the long overdue issues,” he stressed.

Rathnayake expressed hope that they will get a favourable response from the Government soon.