Cyclone Ditwah causes Rs. 5.6 bn loss to Water Board

• Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has  incurred losses of Rs 20 billion, while the Ceylon Electricity Company (LECO) has incurred losses of Rs 252 million

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

Cyclone Ditwah has incurred an estimated loss of approximately Rs. 5.6 billion to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, a Parliamentary committee was informed by the relevant authorities.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply informed the committee that 156 water supply schemes of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board were damaged, and that all of them have now been restored after carrying out maintenance work. 

It was also revealed that the recent cyclone has caused the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Rs 20 billion, while the Ceylon Electricity Company (LECO) has incurred losses of Rs 252 million. 

The officials informed this information to the Sectorial Oversight Committee when it met in the Parliamentary complex recently. 

They further stated that discussions are underway to obtain a loan from the World Bank for this purpose. 

Commenting on this, the Chair of the Committee MP S. M. Marikkar advised the officials of the CEB to attempt to obtain these funds as a grant rather than as a loan. He emphasised the importance of securing the funds as a grant, as obtaining them as a loan could result in an increase in electricity bills for consumers. 

In addition, officials informed the Committee that Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Ltd. does not require any additional loan or grant, as the expenditure required for repair work can be covered through the budgetary allocations already provided.

Members of Parliament Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ajith P. Perera, and Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, along with a group of officials, were present at this occasion.