CEB will be able to supply power only for a month

if action is not taken to generate funds to meet expenses: Kanchana

• CEB has to generate Rs. 600 billion to pay its suppliers and to make loan repayments 

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will be able to supply power only for a month if action is not taken to generate funds to meet expenses, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said justifying the power tariff hike. 

The Minister was responding to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Chaminda Wijesiri said suppliers of power has informed CEB that they will not supply power if the due payments are not paid.   

“CEB has to generate Rs. 600 billion to pay for the suppliers and to make payments involved in loans. Power tariffs will have to be increased even if the SJB comes to power tomorrow,”  he added.   

“Supply is managed at the moment as nearly 60 percent of electricity is obtained from hydro power generated by the considerable rainfall received recently. No power plants have been constructed after the construction of the Norochchole plant which came into operation before 2015,” he said.