Electric Mafia abusing Emergency Power Purchase provision : Minister

By Dayaseeli Liyanage

Minister of Power and Energy Mahinda Amaraweera said that he had received information that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had taken measures to purchase electricity from the private sector incapacitating the programme for producing electricity using solar power.

Addressing his Ministry Staff and the staff of the CEB, for the first time after assuming his duties he stated that despite there being a programme to install solar panels on rooftops with the financial support of the Government, no steps had been taken to promote the programme.

He said that allegations were stating that there were fraudulent acts under the Emergency Power Purchase (EPP) Provision for purchasing electricity from private sector.

He said that a mafia was in control of the affairs.

The Minister said that the failure of the authorities to focus on solar energy, which could be acquired easily at lower costs had been grave mistake, and that he had given instructions to submit a report about the irregularities connected with the solar energy programme.  

 Despite there being a programme to install solar panels on rooftops with the financial support of the Government, no steps had been taken to promote the programme