Power Amendment draft bill to be presented in parliament

Colombo (News 1st): Speaking to the media today UPFA MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara noted that the Power Amendment draft bill that is to be presented in parliament tomorrow will remove the powers given to the Public Utilities Commission by the act of 2009. He noted that the Public Utilities Commission is the commission that takes the side of the people and presents facts in issues related to obtaining electricity, pricing electricity and the generation of electricity. He added that these are the powers that this Minister is attempting to remove and when it comes to the generation of electricity permission needed to be obtained by the Public Utilities Commission, this is the power that the Minister hopes to take into his own hands. MP Nanayakkara added that the current power crisis is a result of the CEB not adhering to the decisions of the commission. He noted that the biggest mistake they are making when purchasing power is that they are not purchasing it by tender, because of this, power is purchased at a higher price. He noted that then even though electricity is not purchased a payment should be made.