Electricity Mafia strikes again : Cabinet approves sport purchasing

Colombo (News1st) - The Sri Lanka Electricity Act clearly indicates that the Public Utilities Commission's approval is mandatory for the Ceylon Electricity Board to make spot purchases of power from the private sector. Despite the existence of such a clause, the CEB on the 6th of April signed a 3-year agreement with a privately owned power plant in Embilipitiya completely swatting away the regulatory powers of the Public Utilities Commission. A few days ago, News1st pointed out how the Secretary to the Subject Ministry addressed a letter to the Secretary to the President dated the 6th of this month with false information in an attempt to validate the aforementioned agreement which was reached in contravention to the provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act. This letter in question was written by the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy four months after an agreement was signed with a privately owned power plant in Embilipitiya. The Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy is requesting the Secretary to the President to seek the approval of the Public Utilities Commission through the National Economic Council to reach agreements to purchase power from three private power stations including the one in Embilipitiya. News1st pointed out that it is not the responsibility of the National Economic Council or any other body of its structure to interfere to validate illegal and false agreements. On the 18th of July, the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy submitted a letter to the Cabinet of Ministers which is more or less similar the plot indicated in the letter addressed to the Secretary to the President by the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy. The letter submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers has been approved. Through this letter, which can clearly be considered as a form of deception, several amendments are to be included into the Sri Lanka Electricity Act in the future. What will be the consequences for the electricity consumers of this country and the Public Utilities Commission? More details to be revealed soon ...