CEB's fuel ran out due to poor management: Gammanpila

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila says that the stock of fuel which the CEB possesses had run out due to the poor calculations and stock management of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Minister Gammanpila stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board had requested the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for the required stocks of fuel for 10 days.

The Minister further stated that the CPC agreed to provide the stock of fuel to the CEB last week, following a discussion held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

He says the CEB, has however not requested an additional stocks of fuel as of yet.

Moreover, the Energy Minister says a ship carrying 37,500 metric tons of diesel has also entered Sri Lankan waters, and the diesel onboard can be unloaded by Monday (24) if the necessary dollars for the transaction can be obtained.

Accordingly, then the CPC will be able to provide the CEB with stocks of diesel.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge says the fuel provided to the CEB is being properly managed, therefore, no power cuts will be experiences from Tuesday (25).

Minister Lokuge also stated that they are considering the possibility of releasing fuel from a private power plant to the Sapugaskanda power plant, as the Sapugaskanda power plant was shut down as it ran out of fuel last evening.

The Minister added that matters regarding the management of power in Government institutions, street lights and other public places will be discussed at the cabinet meeting tomorrow.