COPE will not be an adversary - Chairman

by Nilma DOLE

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The Sunday Observer spoke to the Power and Energy Minister W. D. John Seneviratne on the new developments in the area of power and energy as well as his outlook as the newly-appointed Chairman of COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises).

Q: The Indo-Sri Lanka Grid Interconnection Project is expected to be secured by the year 2011. Do you think that there is a possibility that Sri Lanka can obtain cheap nuclear power from India through this initiative?

A: The ADB (Asian Development Bank) has agreed to fund a feasibility study and once that is through, we can join India to obtain nuclear power to Sri Lanka through the Indo-Sri Lanka Grid Interconnection Project (2011).

Q: How has the response been from India to tie up with Sri Lanka for energy solutions?

A: If there is an agreement, it is an indication that both countries are interested and both will somehow push through the project. We hope to sign agreements shortly with them because India is our closest neighbour. India can give Sri Lanka valuable and cheap source of energy through the interconnection transmission link.

Q: What about the Sampur coal power project which is also done in collaboration with India?

A: There is an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the governments of Sri Lanka and India. We will negotiate with a panel of Indian officials and experts who will be in the island shortly to assess the initiation of a coal power plant in Sampur.

Q: At the moment, Jaffna is faced with electricity problems with a 2-hour power cut during the peak hours. Will this problem be rectified?

A: We will commission the new power plant at Chunnakam by next month to provide the peninsula with an additional 36MW of power to solve this problem.

Right now, power is being supplied by a private-sector's power generating plant and with a few generators handled by CEB (Ceylon Electricity Board).

Q: Will our energy situation be favourable in the future?

A: Since Sri Lanka is a small country, setting up our own nuclear plant will be difficult because it is a long-term goal. However, such goals should materialise so till then, we are promoting renewable energy with the setting up of the Sustainable Energy Authority. By 2015, 10% of Sri Lanka's power is expected to be generated through renewable energy sources and by 2012, our energy situation will be in a satisfactory level. We are also keen on promoting LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) which is also a cheap and clean source of energy. With all these embarkations and setting of power plants, we hope that the energy situation in Sri Lanka will be favourable in the future.

Q: As the new Chairman of the COPE (Commission on Public Enterprises), how come much there is hardly any publicity on bringing corrupted institutions to court unlike before?

A: COPE is never expected to give publicity to any of its proceedings because the publicity that was given before goes completely against the standing orders of Parliament. If serious acts of corruption are committed, then publicity should be given for the people to know.

Q: What are your visions as the new Chairman of COPE (Commission on Public Enterprises)?

A: My vision is to ensure that the COPE is an advisory panel, aimed at correcting those who are guilty of corruption through a rational manner. COPE is not being set up to degrade anybody or any particular institution but only to give them the opportunity to rectify shortcomings. Earlier, persons accused of corruption were harassed by the public and hence, they were reluctant to come to court. COPE reports to parliament who in turn, will notify the respective officials and institutions like the Bribery and Corruption Commission, Attorney General, CID and such. Parliament will decide if anyone ought to be punished but not the COPE.

A free and fair trial should be given to anyone or any institution, accused of corruption.