Minister apologises, spokesman resigns

22 February 2024 10:13 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 21 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, Feb 22 (Daily Mirro) - After facing severe criticism on social media for the remarks by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) media spokesman Noel Priyantha, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has extended an apology on behalf of both the Ministry and the CEB.

In a recent television programme, Noel Priyantha sparked controversy by suggesting that children should resort to studying using oil lamps if necessary. He cited the precedent set by previous generations who excelled in their studies under similar conditions.

However, following the criticism, the media spokesman has resigned from his position and publicly apologized for his statement.

"The statement does not reflect the views of the Government or the CEB and I would like to extend my apology on behalf of the Ministry and the CEB," Minister Wijesekera said.

He said the CEB management of has also informed him that the spokesman has tendered his resignation from the particular post and issued a public apology for his statement. Minister Wijesekara said the management will also take appropriate steps regarding the statement made.

Comments - 21

Nimal Thursday, 22 February 2024 10:33 AM

What an idiot this spokesperson was? Undoubtedly a political appointee, judging by the statements he has made so far. Does he call himself an engineer? In any case the resignation is welcome.

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Tissa Fernando Thursday, 22 February 2024 10:34 AM

But the guy is still in CEB. Making statements without carefully choosing the words could end someone's job.

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Maduka Thursday, 22 February 2024 10:57 AM

He should be kicked out from ceb too.

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L Jaya Thursday, 22 February 2024 11:10 AM

This was damage control by the Minister. Apology isn't enough, restore the power as a result of non-payment of bills, as there many children been forced use oil lamps. So Apology was a false

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sarath gooneratne Thursday, 22 February 2024 11:25 AM

That fool probably does not know how many children have got maimed and died as a result of oil lamp fires. Also possibly it is cheaper to have a 5 Watt bulb burning than an oil lamp.

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This is reality Thursday, 22 February 2024 11:34 AM

So easy to say "sorry" and escape. The spokesman should set a precedence. He should request the CEB to disconnect power supply to his residence so that he and his family can use oil lamps throughout.

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Terrence K Thursday, 22 February 2024 11:53 AM

Today everyone wants a fabricated painted picture instead of speaking the reality in our country. In a byegone era the majority of the people were using lamps. With development taking place and those who could have afforded went for electricity. What governments did to be popular they promoted electricity for everyone where the tarriffs were low although some could not afford. The public are used to handouts free of charge/concessions. Any family should always be within their budget. Even gas for cooking everyone wanted it when the prices were low now what has happened with the escalation of prices some gas users have dropped away using firewood which was used sometime ago. So if there is no electricity the public should look at an alternative within their budget, When the truth is spoken the person is penalized when the untruth is spoken he is been honoured and promoted!!!!!!!!! What a life!!!!!

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Citizen Thursday, 22 February 2024 12:04 PM

This also should apply to MPs who utter stupid things to the mic and similar actions should be taken promptly.

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Citizens Thursday, 22 February 2024 12:51 PM

Resigned from the post only. He should resign from CEB!

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Noel Priyantha speaking in Sinahla made him more the fool talker Thursday, 22 February 2024 01:41 PM

Doubtful if English speaker here would say such garbage, like Noel Priyantha did speaking in Sinhala. He of course would be just as bad if he'd spoken in Tamil, if that was his mother tongue. Educated people don't speak like Noel Priyantha or our current T20 Cricket disgrace of a captain H.

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Jayasiri Perera Thursday, 22 February 2024 02:13 PM

Many MPS, Ministers and politicians think like this. They don't care about poor people. They would say if you do not have food to eat then find some garbage food to eat!

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Spartacus Thursday, 22 February 2024 04:06 PM

There was another arsehole like this who claimed Rs 2,500 is enough for a family to live. This punk is still a Minister, never apologised and still earns thousand times more than his declaration from Public and Scrounging.

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I use nuclear power to light my bedroom! - BS Thursday, 22 February 2024 03:18 PM

If you don't agree with what this moron said then change the status quo at the next election. I bet you won't and you will elect the same morons and expect foreign countries to keep giving us aid.

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LA. Buddhadasa Thursday, 22 February 2024 03:29 PM

It isn't bulbs that consume more electricity. It is items like the fridge (60%) , TV, and fans. Control those, and the bill becomes affordable.

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DAILY MIRROR HUMBUG USELESS TO GIVE NAME Thursday, 22 February 2024 10:24 PM

It's better for Government Servants and State Corporation/ Boards to abstain in participating on Mass Media TV channels programmes conducted by TV man of the channels. These TV guys ask questions purely Political issues that could be asked from Members of Parliament and Political parties but definitely not from employee of State Corporation Even in the CEB interview the TV presenter got worked up and argued. Why should you apologise and resign for statement of facts pertinent to question raised Please get together and refuse and avoid TV programmes to save your job.

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Jeeva Sathasivam Friday, 23 February 2024 12:15 AM

What action will the members of the hill country Parliament take on the opinion of this poor quality media spokesperson (CEB) who speaks disparagingly of the real manual laborers who have kept Sri Lanka alive even in the corona era without knowing that their labor is being robbed and exploited by not robbing others?

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Tissa Fernando Friday, 23 February 2024 01:17 AM

I have watched the full programme, the CEB spokesman was answering specific questions raised. He highlighted that many spend on Alcohol rather than paying electricity bills, many do not want to do hard work to earn more money . Please note that in western countries, some well educated Sri Lankans are doing 3 or 4 jobs to earn living expenses. But in Sri Lanka , very few work hard. There are many jobs for which you cannot find a proper person. Although it was not his place to highlight these , those were answers to questions.

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Mohamed Adham Friday, 23 February 2024 09:44 AM

Must be sacked from all CEB positions as well. Cut the power connection to his house, so that he could happily experience the Lamp oil experience.

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Daily Mirror Humbug useless to give name Friday, 23 February 2024 10:32 AM

For what reason. Why should his power connection to his house be cut if he had settled the electricity bill. Your statement is dictatorial military-- "sack the bugger ". Be frank and tell how you managed to lit your house when power cut was 5 hours. Like your insensitive attitude against employee of CEB when decisions are done, by CEB board , Ministry of Power, only a spokesman for his employer, let me answer with insensitive way you did here..you are a bloody stupid egostic man and like merchant of Venice demands.

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Be Fair Friday, 23 February 2024 11:22 AM

Wonder how many listened to his full speech to take it context

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Patcitz Friday, 23 February 2024 03:40 PM

The government itself must apologize to the people for the statement that the Media Spokesman of CEB revealed in an accurate manner that the government has hidden the fact. The media spokesman was right in his statement., no apology that he should make anyway in this regard.

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