PUCSL - New regulator of power supply

Ananda KANNANGARA

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne on Thursday assured that the Ceylon Electricity Board would never be privatised under any circumstances as it has the responsibility to safeguard the 45 million electricity consumers in the country. He was speaking at the ceremonial handing over of the provisional licence to the Ceylon Electricity Board by the Public Utility Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).

The PUCSL is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring a coordinated, efficient and economical system of electricity supply and maintenance throughout Sri Lanka. The Provisional Licence to be issued by PUCSL would be valid for only six months and thereafter a fresh licence would be issued for a period of 15 years.

He said the electricity in many developing countries such as Mongolia, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan and Nepal comes under the purview of Regulatory Commissions. “In future electricity consumers could make their complaints with regard to the supply or breakdowns to the PUCSL, the Minister pointed out.

Plan Implementation Minister P. Dayaratna said the regulatory system should have been introduced long ago, but thanked the authorities for making it available at this juncture. PUCSL Chairman, Dr. Jayatissa de Costa said that other utilities such as water and petroleum too would come under the PUCSL.