News
Power cuts certain as it stands- CEBEU
Crisis management committee has not met for three months
By Ifham Nizam
The Country would experience rotational power cuts due to the negligence of some top officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the powerful Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) warned yesterday.
A senior Electrical Engineer and one time President of CEBEU told The Island that masses would experience more power cuts unless immediate action was taken.
“The Power Crisis Committee Meeting has not been held for three months by the CEB General Manager M.R. Ranatunga despite our warnings,” a committee member of the CEBEU said.
The power shortage would be due to shortage in the installed power generating capacity to meet the forecasted demand and also due to a possible fuel shortage affecting power generation, they said.
“Despite repeated warnings by the CEBEU as a Trade Union and our members in their official capacities, CEB Chairman and outgoing General Manager Eng. M.R. Ranatunga had not taken any steps to plan and prepare for such an eventuality. Despite repeated requests, no “Power Crisis Meetings”, a regular meeting convened by all past GMs to identify impending power shortages and to make any adjustments early, has not been held during the term of present GM,” a senior engineer said.
CEBEU also said it was critically important for all authorities to identify at least now itself why there was a severe project implementation delay in the country and address the Causes of such Problems (to eliminate the Problem) instead of blaming the Effects/Results of the problem.
“We wish to caution authorities not to allow a crisis to take place and thereafter resort to very expensive short-term solutions such as supplementary power (popularly referred to as emergency power) purchasing to overcome only the effects of the problem,” the Union added.
Non-implementation or the delaying of scheduled power plants and the cancellation of finalised power plants had resulted in the imminent crisis, the union said. Withholding 150MW ground mounted solar tender by the State Ministry of Renewable Energy Projects Development for more than 15 months and inexcusable dragging of already finalized 350 MW CCY power plant at Kerawalapitiya (Sobadhavi) are some examples of the most recent root causes which are to be readily attended as long-term solutions, the union said, adding that the authorities should conserve fuel for power generation by taking measures to cut down fuel on transport use by resorting to innovative measures such as encouraging and facilitating work from home arrangements immediately.
The Union also pointed out that all authorities should follow the Sri Lanka National Energy Policy recommendations, which were published in 2019 and well before the COVID Pandemic.
“We urge authorities to run this country based on such long-term policies and actions already identified instead of managing from crisis to crisis basis,” the Union added.
Voting commenced at 7.00am to elect members to 339 local councils in the island.
Voting is being held at 13,579 polling centers and will end at 4.00 p.m.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayake during an official ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday (05) morning
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full military honours upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam. He also took part in the inspection of the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour and the playing of the national anthems of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The two leaders then introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding for bilateral discussions during which both nation assessed their progress, explored avenues for future collaboration and signed Memoranda of Understanding.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka have upheld robust and enduring ties since they established diplomatic relations in 1970. and this visit aims to strengthen political trust and foster effective collaboration across multiple sectors between the two nations.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam engage in annual bilateral trade, primarily in exports, totalling around US$200 million. Both nations aspire to elevate this trade to US$1 billion in the near future.
President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam and demonstrates a mutual resolve to enhance collaboration in traditional sectors while exploring new opportunities in digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence and connectivity.
[PMD]
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 05 May 2025, valid for 06 May 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Voting commences to elect members for 339 local government authorities
President holds talks with Vietnamese President
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
-
Sports6 days agoOTRFU Beach Tag Rugby Carnival on 24th May at Port City Colombo
-
News4 days agoRanil’s Chief Security Officer transferred to KKS
-
Opinion2 days agoRemembering Dr. Samuel Mathew: A Heart that Healed Countless Lives
-
Features5 days agoThe Broken Promise of the Lankan Cinema: Asoka & Swarna’s Thrilling-Melodrama – Part IV
-
Features6 days agoTrump tariffs and their effect on world trade and economy with particular
-
News5 days agoRadisson Blu Hotel, Galadari Colombo appoints Marko Janssen as General Manager
-
Business4 days agoCCPI in April 2025 signals a further easing of deflationary conditions
-
Features5 days agoA piece of home at Sri Lankan Musical Night in Dubai