Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the objective of the government is to make Sri Lanka a country with the lowest electricity prices in the region, thereby providing fair and affordable electricity to all citizens.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the opening of the ’Sobadhanavi’ 350 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya, which contributes 12% of the requirement of the national power system.

The Prime Minister further stated:

“The world is now moving into a transitional era led by sustainability and innovation, adapting to ever-changing consumer demands and regulatory frameworks in the energy sector.

Amidst such global trends, Sri Lanka ranks high among the countries in the region with the most expensive electricity rates.

One of the main obstacles in transitioning to a production-based economy, in order to recover from the severe economic crisis caused by decades of mismanagement, is the unfair cost of energy. Our government is focusing on new energy sectors, particularly solar and wind power, in order to reduce high electricity costs.

To make Sri Lanka the country with the lowest electricity prices rates in the region, the Government is implementing procurement and tender processes and shifting from oil-based electricity generation towards renewable sources such as solar and wind.

It is also a goal of the Government to strengthen the national economy by encouraging contribution from producers and provide fair and affordable electricity to all citizens .

I am pleased to learn that this power generation system has been designed by the efforts of our local engineers and human resources.

I humbly request all citizens to use electricity more responsibly, reduce unnecessary consumption, and contribute to strengthening the national economy both institutionally and individually”.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of Power and Energy Eng. Kumara Jayakody stated:

“The construction of renewable power plants has at times been hindered by certain political motives. In line with our Government’s policy, we are proceeding with the necessary procurements in a proper and transparent manner. We must pay attention to the future of the power sector. As coal power plants can no longer be used, we must also think of the alternatives available to us.

Human resources of our country have received an international recognition. However, we have not been able to fully utilize these talents within our own country. Many Sri Lankans perform exceptionally well abroad, yet when they return to serve here, they face numerous challenges.

The real issue in this country is the failure to properly manage these resources. We are aware of this, and therefore we are taking steps to prioritize and empower local human resources. In order to enter the global platform, our human resources must be strengthened.

The Government initiates in restructuring the Ceylon Electricity Board. Opportunities must be created for new knowledge. We have seen many institutions where those at the top positions never provide opportunities for new knowledge and this must change.

We are not subjecting CEB employees to any political interference. What we ask is simply for them to work efficiently. There are many structural issues within the CEB. Through restructuring, we will create an environment where everyone can work with professional dignity. However, some may create problems for political gain. Even today, a small group made an unsuccessful attempt. While safeguarding rights, we remind everyone not to deceive workers with lies and misuse politics”.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal, Vice Chairman of CEB Prof. Saliya Jayasekara, and U.D. Jayawardena, founder of LTL Holdings, along with several others participants.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]