Committee to recommend reforms to restructure power and energy sectors

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a committee to propose reforms to restructure the country’s power and energy sectors controlled by the State-run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) within a month. The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to appoint the committee.

The Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media, Bandula Gunawardena told reporters that the committee would propose overall energy sector reforms including restructuring of the CEB and CPC.

The government has already decided to open up the country’s fuel import and distribution market to new players.
Gunawardena noted that the proposed reforms would also include legislative amendments including amendments to CPC Act of 1950. According to Wijesekera, the Cabinet approval marks the beginning of CEB restructuring.

The committee is required to submit its recommendations to the Cabinet within one month upon the appointment, and the recommendations would later be presented to parliament. The Cabinet of Ministers also approved the revised tariff rates for renewable energy projects this week.