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PUCSL permits CEB to cut power from today

09 Jan 2022

  • CEB also asked to pay Rs. 18 b to Ceypetco ASAP
BY Pamodi Waravita The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) had granted permission to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to schedule power outages from today (10), whilst The Morning learnt that the CEB has been asked to pay Rs. 18 billion to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) as soon as possible in order to ensure a steady supply of fuel to its power stations. “We have taken this permission from the PUCSL but this does not mean we will be cutting power from tomorrow. It depends on the needs at the time,” a senior CEB official told us yesterday (9). “We have been asked to pay Rs. 18 billion to the CPC as well for fuel as soon as possible,” the official added. Short power outages have been common last week due to the power crisis experienced by the CEB as a result of the lack of fuel to its power stations. However, reports show that the CPC released a stock of 10,000 metric tonnes (MT) of furnace oil to the CEB last Friday (7) night, to resolve the power crisis. The Sunday Morning reported yesterday that the CEB needs to make its next payment to CPC by Wednesday (12) for the purchase of fuel. Meanwhile, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake has urged electricity consumers to pay their outstanding bills to the CEB as fast as possible. “The CEB is owed approximately Rs. 43 billion. When the customers do not pay their bills, the CEB does not have money for the purchase of fuel from the CPC,” claimed Ratnayake while speaking to The Morning. He said that if the purchase of fuel does not occur, power outages are unavoidable. Furthermore, Ratnayake noted that the electricity tariff has not increased since 2013, adding that the CEB continues to lose Rs. 50-60 billion a year. Commenting on plans to purchase emergency power, Ratnayake said that fuel and water would suffice, but highlighted the delay in fuel purchases. “That is why it is vital that customers pay their bills without delay,” he said.


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