Darkness by Dispute: Who Will Take Responsibility?

The street light in front of No. 1, Charlemont Road, Wellawatte has remained out of order for an extended period. This particular stretch becomes completely dark in the late evening once nearby shops and establishments — including the iconic Savoy Theatre — switch off their lights. What remains is a poorly lit entrance to a residential road, posing a serious risk to pedestrians, motorists, residents, and visitors alike.

Upon lodging a complaint with the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the response was that there is no power supply from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). When the CEB was contacted, it was revealed that electricity supply has not been restored due to outstanding payments allegedly owed by the CMC.

This, regrettably, is not an isolated incident. Numerous street lights across the city of Colombo remain non-functional for the same reason. Public infrastructure is being held hostage in a financial tug-of-war between two state institutions — and it is the tax-paying public who are left in the dark.

When the relevant Ministry was contacted, it was stated that the matter is known at the highest level and that discussions have taken place — yet no resolution has been reached.

This issue now squarely calls for the urgent intervention of  Hon. Kumar Jayakody, Minister of Power and Energy. As an engineer and a policymaker, swift and decisive action is expected to resolve the outstanding financial dispute and restore essential public lighting without further delay.  Street lighting is not a luxury — it is a fundamental component of urban safety, crime prevention, and public confidence. The continued inaction places citizens at unnecessary risk.

The people of Colombo deserve illumination — not institutional deadlock.

Mohamed Zahran

 Colombo