Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayake says there is no necessity to enforce 8 to 10 hour power cuts.
Speaking at a media briefing today (5), Ratnayake said the electricity tariff hike is proposed in order to cover the losses incurred by the Ceylon Electricity Board and to obtain funds required for the purchase of coal and fuel.
He said more than 32,000MT of coal is in store, while the next shipment is due to reach Sri Lanka tomorrow increasing the stocks to 60,000MT.
Ratnayake said another five shipments are due to arrive in the island in the near future while a total of 25 coal shipments will reach the country.
He also stated that therefor there is no necessity to enforce 8 to 10 power cuts.
The PUCSL Chairman said if another seven to eight coal shipments arrive in the island, the country’s coal requirement till August will be met.
Meanwhile, Janaka Ratnayake said in the event Cabinet approval is granted to the proposed electricity tariff hike, the PUCSL instead of seeking legal action will use its veto power to reject the increase.
He charged that the proposal of a tariff hike was compiled by the CEB Secretary, new General Manager and an Engineer and has been compiled based on inaccurate data.
