News
‘PUCSL will not be dissolved, but will get new Board soon’
By Ifham Nizam
Utilities regulator, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) would not be dissolved but the government would appoint a new board of directors as its incumbent directorate had resigned, a senior power sector official said.
When contacted, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman, Eng. Vijitha Herath told The Island that the PUCSL new board would be appointed shortly.
Power and Energy Ministry strongly says the role of the PUCSL is of paramount importance as almost all CEB engineers have stressed the importance of its functions.
“It cannot be dissolved without parliamentary approval,” another official said.
Last week, Secretary to the President, Dr. P. B. Jayasundera instructed Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle to take steps to close down the PUCSL, absorb the technical staff into the National Planning Department and the Power Ministry.
Dr. Jayasundera in his letter stated that the PUCSL Act would be replaced in due course, and that certain relevant provisions in the Act could be incorporated into the Consumer Affairs Authority Act and the Ceylon Electricity Board Act.
Industry experts and Opposition parliamentarians criticised the move to scrap the PUCSL, stressing it would have a deleterious impact on the country’s power sector and open the door to corruption, reduce oversight of the CEB, curtail investment from multilateral lenders such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and undermine public interest.
The PUCSL is the economic, technical and safety regulator of the electricity industry in Sri Lanka and the designated regulator for petroleum and water services industries.
The PUCSL has also been assigned as the shadow regulator for the lubricant market in Sri Lanka. It was established by The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 35 of 2002.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake has appointed Acting Ministers for four ministries before his departure on an official state visit to Vietnam.
The appointments cover three ministries under the President’s purview — the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, which comes under the purview of Minister Vijitha Herath, who is accompanying the President on this official visit.
Accordingly, the following Acting Ministers have been appointed:
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Digital Economy.
Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Defence.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
[PMD]
Gen. Nakatani, Minister of Defense of Japan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees today [May 4].
The discussion took place in the spirit of long-standing bilateral friendship and focused on strengthening cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka, particularly in the areas of defense and regional security. Minister Nakatani extended his congratulations to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of Japan and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to collaborative efforts in ensuring peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
He also emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in maritime security and regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support through development partnerships, especially via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). She reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, economic reform, and national transformation.
The Prime Minister also shared the government’s vision for evolving the role of Sri Lanka’s security forces to include responsibilities such as climate response, humanitarian assistance, and maritime protection. The meeting further explored opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism, with both parties agreeing to deepen engagement across five key sectors.
The Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, and senior officials from both governments participated in the meeting.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
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