CEB on another run to purchase power in violation of the Electricty Act

Colombo (News 1st): Exaggerating facts regarding the Lak Wijaya coal power plant in Norochcholai, the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy submitted a cabinet memorandum on the 10th of this month. The purpose of this cabinet memorandum is to construct a fourth coal power plant with a capacity of 300 megawatts in Norochcholai, that would contribute to the national power grid by 2023. This plan goes against the electricity act, as the proposed plan to obtain a loan from the Chinese government for this project is not considered as a loan transaction taking place between two governments. The expected loan is to be obtained directly by the Ceylon Electricity Board. As per the electricity act of Sri Lanka, the construction of a new power plant is considered as purchasing power. The cost of generating one unit of power must be considered, in other words, calling bids at competitive prices. The minister, presenting this cabinet memorandum to obtain approval for a loan to construct the fourth phase of the Norochcholai power plant, is an obstruction to the competitive process and paves the way for looting and corruption. Likewise, this would result in the addition of 300 megawatts of power to the national grid at a higher cost. This cabinet memorandum is similar to a blank cheque that is to be signed, as the cabinet memorandum does not include any information regarding the value of the loan that is to be obtained from the Chinese government. The ministry, under the guise of the long term power generation plan, uses the construction of the fourth phase of the Norochcholai power plant goes against the Electricity act of Sri Lanka. Against a backdrop, where statements regarding the purchasing of power amounting to 200 megawatts from a barge owned by a Turkish Company was proved to be nothing but a fake.