No requirement for power cuts: Minister Lokuge

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge says that there is no requirement for any power outage.

Meanwhile, the Ceylon Electricity Board meanwhile said that there is no need for power cuts during the day time.

General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, M.R. Ranatunga said there will be no need for power cuts in January, since the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has agreed to provide the required stocks of fuel.

Accordingly, adequate stocks of fuel to last 05 days were received as of now.

He noted that due to the loss of 300 MW of power generated from the Norochcholai Power Plant, the country's power supply is now dependent on fuel.

According to the CEB General Manager, tenders have been called for the importation of Coal.

Additionally, he noted that power cuts are likely in the event there is a shortage of Coal.

However, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, Janaka Ratnayake said approval has been granted for daily power cuts, with effect from Monday (10).

He noted that the public support is expected to reduce the possibility of power cuts, since the CEB is yet to receive around Rs. 43 billion in arrears payments from the consumers.

He said the consumers must settle the arrears payments to the CEB in order to avoid power cuts.