CEB will not be privatized - Min. Ravi K.

by Staff Writer 30-01-2019 | 9:32 PM

COLOMBO(News 1st) - Ravi Karunanayaka, Minister of Power, Energy and Business development expressed the following views regarding the Ceylon Electricity Board at the inauguration of Thalangama Customer Service Centre. He said that there are 6.4 million electricity consumers and this figure continues to grow by 6-7% annually. He mentioned that if CEB plans on continuing as a monopoly it will lead to difficulties in the near future. He also promised that as the minister of power he along with minister Champika Ranawaka, the president and the prime minister would not allow the privatization of the Ceylon electricity board. He further added that they are working on modifications, not only to provide a better service to the consumer but also to transform losses of the CEB into profits. He mentioned that CEB produces one unit of electricity for Rs. 22.37 and sells it for Rs. 16.37 resulting in a loss of Rs. 6 per unit. He noted that increasing the price was not an option but minimizing the expenditure was possible and the benefit could be provided to the consumer. He also added that they already have a plan in motion to secure both consumers and the workforce. Responding to inquiries regarding the purchase of 100MW of electricity minister added that there was no such requirement yet, he admitted that they were considering this if supply could not meet the demand or if the rainfalls are delayed. He also added that although in the past such decisions like these were taken at the last minute they would at least make a purchase like this 2 months prior in order to maintain transparency with the public. Several appointments within the CEB were also made today.