News

PUCSL chief eats his words, announces power cuts

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/19

By Rathindra Kuruwita

There would be power cuts for the next two years as no major power plants would become operational during that period, Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Rathnayaka said yesterday.

Rathnayaka also announced that there would be one-hour and 45-minute of power cuts on a daily basis from yesterday. Rathnayaka said load shedding would be effected in two slots––from 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. and from 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

“There will be a one hour power cut between 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm and a 45 minute power cut between 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm,” he said.

Earlier this week, the PUCSL assured that there would not be any power cuts for the next three months..

“We assumed that we will have enough oil stocks for power generation and that there will not be any major breakdowns. However, now we know that we don’t have enough oil to run the generators and about 400 MW of generators are out of service. Therefore, we have no choice but to shed power from yesterday,” he said.

Rathnayaka said that apart from the shortage of diesel, furnace oil and naphtha, they had also been compelled to reduce the production of electricity using hydro power.

“Currently, 10 gigawatt hours of electricity is generated through hydro power. But we have to reduce this by half from Friday (18) too to ensure that there is enough water for the next 45 days,” he said.

The CEB was unable to purchase diesel, furnace oil and naphtha, the inability due to financial difficulties and the PUCSL had mediated to get Rs. 250 million from LECO to mitigate the situation.

“We need a long-term plan to address this situation. Otherwise, power cuts will be a regular occurrence for the next two years. We will have power cuts on a regular basis. Everyone in the sector must come together and come up with a plan or we will be in trouble in the coming years,” he said.

All News Advertisement

News

Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

1 hour ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.

Latest News

Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate

Published

2 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

(File pic)

Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).

News

CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

CJ Surasena

‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’

Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.

Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.

‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.

Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.

Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.

Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.

By Shamindra Ferdinando