News

Engineers: Power supply not sufficient to meet demand

Published

3 years ago

2022/02/3

By Ifham Nizam

Despite the addition of 300MW the third unit of the Norochcholai Power Plant Complex (altogether 900MW) has supplied to the national grid, the Ceylon Electricity Board Generation Division says the amount is not sufficient to meet the shortfall in the supply of electricity.

The CEB engineers say 300MW will have to be purchased from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

An official said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had stressed that the CEB must not go for long term emergency purchases from the private sector. However, he has not opposed purchasing from the IPPs.

CEB Additional General Manager cum Media Spokesman Andrew Navamani told The Island they were expecting 10,000MT or 10 million litres diesel for the Kelanistissa Power Plant Complex.

Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge earlier instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) outgoing Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando to negotiate with private power plants to obtain 300MW.

He told The Island that consumers did not need to fear as they would do their utmost to supply power continuously.

From the Framefive machine at Kelanitissa Power Plant Complex CEB would utilise 18MW by today. This would be chiefly used to cover up partly the peak demand between 6.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.

Minister Lokuge also said that CEB was planning to directly purchase fuel through the Indian Oil Company (IOC) within this week.

He said a decision had already been taken regarding the fuel required by the CEB for next week.

Delays in securing the required diesel and furnace oil from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) forced the CEB to shut down several thermal power plants leading to power cuts.

According to Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma CEB might be able to import the required fuel under the USD 500 million fuel credit line granted by India.

He also said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had directed the Central Bank and the Treasury to provide USD 50 million to release two oil shipments anchored off Port of Colombo.

President also had ordered the Treasury to intervene to settle the Rs.93 billion arrears owed by CEB to CPC.

These outstanding payments would be settled in stages with Treasury support.

The CEB has been incurring losses since last September with the end of the rainy season, as the utility provides electricity on a heavily subsidised rates to the consumer.

The Island learns that there are Rs.50 billion worth electricity bills in arrears at both CEB and LECO.

Unlike other institutions, CEB and LECO had given their customers time to settle the payments on an installment basis.

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Senior Journalist Victor Ivan passes away

Published

8 hours ago

2025/01/19

Priyan

Victor Ivan, former editor of the Raavaya newspaper has passed away . He was 75 at the time of his demise.

Latest News

Landslide early warnings issued to the district of Badulla , Kandy , Kurunegala and Matale

Published

18 hours ago

2025/01/19

Priyan

The National Building Research Organization [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matale at 0800 hrs today valid until 0800hrs on Monday 20th January 2025.

Accordingly,

Level II [Amber] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district and Rattota, Yatawatta, Ukuwela and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district.

Level I [Yellow] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Badulla, Passara and Hali Ela in the Badulla district, Meda Dumbara, Phatha Dumbara and Doluwa in the Kandy district and Laggala Pallegama, Ambanganga Korale, Pallepola, Naula and Matale in the Matale district

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It is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the grieving people – Prime Minister

Published

19 hours ago

2025/01/19

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that it is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the people who are deprived of the same due to rewards and sponsorships.

The Premier made this statement at the occasion of handing over the renovated Court of Appeal building to the public on Saturday (18). The renovations was a donation from the People’s Republic of China.

Further she mentioned that the investment made in a country’s judicial system and in the provision of facilities for the delivery of justice to the people is a reflection of the commitment made towards the country and its people. “This is not just a building, but a symbol of the delivery of justice, fairness of law, equality and dignity. Our country has suffered for decades because many were denied justice under systems of rewards and sponsorships. Our intention is to resolve those deficiencies, bring forth fairness and ensure that everyone has access to justice”, she added.

“The people must be able to keep trust and rely on the judicial system by exemplifying that the legal powers granted to judges by the Constitution are exercised fairly and providing independent and fair judgment to the parties concerned. Everyone, including women, children and the disabled community, expects justice. Their aspiration is that such a system will ensure that no one faces hardships, an attention will be paid to their mental conditions, protection from the consequences they may face when seeking justice for them or defending their rights. All actors in this process must be treated with respect. There are people who have faced hardships for years in the pursuit of justice. We ensure that they are treated fairly. They should not be subjected to intimidation, harassment or threat in the pursuit of justice”, the Premier highlighted.

The Prime Minister further expressed her gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their generosity and support.

A group of invitees including the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando and many others participated in this event.