Unauthorised power cuts act of sabotage or not: Minister seeks report from CEB

By Kelum Bandara   

Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday he sought a report from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to ascertain whether the recent unauthorised power cuts were acts of sabotage. 

The country experienced power cuts in certain areas recently. According to the law, the CEB should obtain approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for unscheduled power cuts.  

The CEB has done it citing the non-supply of fuel by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to generate electricity.   “I have called for reports from the CEB and the CPC. Once I get reports, I will decide on further action,” he said.   Meanwhile, the PUCSL, as the electricity sector regulator informed the CEB yesterday to submit the investigation report on the power outage on or before February 12, 2020.  

Sri Lanka faced two to two- and a half-hour power cuts on February 3, 2020 in many parts of the country, carried out by CEB without the approval of 
the PUCSL.

I have called for reports from the CEB and the CPC. Once I get reports, I will decide on further action