• “We have a sufficient number of thermal power plants, but we have a question of getting sufficient fuel stocks” 

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

Power Minister Gamini Lokuge has once again assured of uninterrupted power supply after March 5, contradicting the CEB who say that providing an uninterrupted service this month is next to impossible.    

Lokuge said the President had advised him to take immediate measures to provide a continuous electricity supply. Therefore, the ministry is taking measures to get additional fuel stocks to run the thermal power plants that have already stopped, the Minister said.  

“We have a sufficient number of thermal power plants, but we have a question of getting sufficient fuel stocks for the electricity generation,” he said.  

Arrangements will be made to receive relevant fuel stocks through the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) or directly to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the Minister said.  
“We require 30,000 tons of diesel and furnace oil for the operation of all thermal power plants,” he added.   

The CEB however is of a different view from the Minister. With water in the reservoirs having dried up resulting in Hydro Power plants unable to function, and with fuel supply continuously low, long power cuts have to be imposed for a while to get out of the power crisis.

• With water in the reservoirs having dried up and with fuel supply continuously low, long  power cuts have to be imposed for a while