Impending power crisis: UNP

31 August 2011 07:49 am Views - 5221

The main opposition UNP today warned of an impending power crisis as a result of US$300 million scam at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) in the importation of low sulphur oil needed for thermal power generation.

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera told a news conference today that the CPC is in the process of purchasing low sulphur oil at a rate of US$90 per metric ton instead of the usual price which ranges from US$27 to 33 by a black listed foreign company. He said CPC had placed this order because of the urgent need for oil for the generation of power by the power plants. Mr. Jayasekera said the urgency had been popped up as a result of the lethargic approach by the CPC in importing oil on time. At the same time he said it could be that interested people pocketing some funds as commission from this deal.

The UNP MP explained that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CPC) had been forced to go for hydro power as a result of the CPC’s delay in supplying oil for thermal power generation. This he said has resulted in the reduction of water levels in the reservoirs.

Mr. Jayasekera also charged that this scam is a result of a mafia by a certain force in the private sector.

He said he would take this matter up in the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and would also go for legal action. “We are prepared to whatever we can against these scams,” he added. (Yohan Perera)