The report by the Cabinet Appointed Committee to propose reforms in the power sector was taken into discussion at the Sub Committee on Identifying the Priorities in Formulation of Short-, Medium- & Long-Term National Policies of the National Council.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera, State Ministers DV Chanaka, Indika Anuruddha, MPs Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, Asanka Navaratne, and Sagara Kariyawasam were present at the Cub Committee meeting chaired by MP Namal Rajapaksa.
Officials briefed the committee on the proposed restructuring of the power sector.
A committee member said it has been proposed to establish five independent bodies to ensure and regulate operations of the Ceylon Electricity Board.
He said there is no proposal for the privatisation of the CEB in the committee report.
The chair to the Sub-committee MP Rajapaksa said during restructuring, attention should be focused on simplifying the procedures to be followed by the parties involved in the tasks including electricity generation.
He expressed hope of establishing a separate body for policy formulation not only in the power sector but also in other sectors.
Accordingly, he further stated that the relevant legislation will be proposed to the National Council through the Parliament.
Minister Kanchana Wijesekera meanwhile highlighted the need for a secretariat until the restructuring of the power sector is completed.
Furthermore, MP Rajapaksa said not only the power sector, but all sectors, should have provisions to identify officers and those responsible for tasks and to remove them if they do not reach the required level of performance.
He also pointed out that although the people have the power to remove politicians at an election, there are no specific policies to take action against officials and institutions that do not have the required performance.
