Energy Minister assures to provide fuel stocks for electricity generation next week: PUCSL Chairman

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila today assured the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake that he would provide complete fuel stocks for next week's electricity generation.

He said the minister assured him of providing 10,000 metric tons of diesel per day, including naphtha and furnace oil.

"The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has to pay Rs. 90 billion to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and that amount should be paid. If payments were not paid, both the corporations would have colluded," he said.

Accordingly, the CEB promised to pay Rs.20 billion within a week. After receiving the required fuel stocks, the CEB has to pay for their extra stocks by paying the bill for their daily needs.

However, following action taken by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) the operation of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCPP) resumed, and 300 megawatts of electricity have been added to the national grid.

The NCPP has not functioned since December 3, with the experience of a total countrywide blackout.

All arrangements were made to resume operations of the Sojitz Kelanitissa Power Station to connect 130 megawatts to the national grid from tomorrow night. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)