‘Changing pillows as cure for headache’

Puzzling reshuffle

Kudos to you for your editorial where you have exposed, without any ambiguity, saying ‘One is at a loss to understand the rationale, if any behind it’. In supporting this statement, as one who is interested and follow the affairs of the vital sector – electricity – was puzzled to read the removal of Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister for Power, and assigned the portfolio of Media.

In my view, and also the view of most CEB engineers, he once declared that he would do his utmost to make the CEB a profitable state venture. Towards this end, he had the support and cooperation of the CEB engineers. Sadly, he did not get the backing of the government. Once he made representations to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to have the Public Utilities Commission, Sri Lanka [PUCSL] removed from interfering with the working of the CEB, as it was an impediment for the smooth working of the CEB, and this was granted. Surprisingly, the Minister for Finance, Mahinda Rajapaksa over ruled the President’s order and the order was reversed. Whether the instructions of the President were right or wrong is another matter but the question arises as to whether there is duplicity in governance. The other is the President fixed a target of 70% renewable energy by 2030, without, as it appears, consulting the Minister for Power, as the CEB engineers came out with their difficulties in achieving this target. Another is the President cancelled the additional coal plant at Norochcholai expecting to meet the demand by renewable source of energy without consulting the Ministry for Power. Time will tell whether this decision is sensible, if we do not face a severe power shortage, worse than that of 2004, where six-hour power cuts was imposed. This shows under what stress Minister Dullas Allahapreruma had to function as the Minister for Power.

Now, coming to the newly appointed Minister for Power, Gamini Lokuge, you say ‘Lokuge may know a power cable from telephone line … that does not mean the Minister of Power should necessarily be an engineer, but he or she should be knowledgeable enough to understand’. I would add at least he should know what the red, blue and green wires, in an electricity connection, stand for.

Does this reshuffle mean that these ministers had not proved themselves efficient in handling the affairs of those ministries, hence this reshuffle? What guarantee that they will prove themselves in their new assignments? Or is it Changing pillows to cure a headache.

To wind up, it is best to quote what Italian leader criticizing Biden, Obama on Afghanistan ‘IF YOU CANNOT WIN CREATE CHAOS’

So be it!

G. A. D. Sirimal

BORALESGAMUWA.