CEB to seek possibility of procuring fuel from LIOC: Minister

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would initiate discussions with Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) to procure fuel required for the next few days, Power Minister Gamini Lokuge said today.

He said he had instructed the CEB Chairman to initiate discussions with the LIOC tomorrow to explore feasibility of procuring fuel stocks from the IOC.

"We are considering the alternative steps to procure the fuel required for the next few days. I have instructed the CEB Chairman to initiate discussions with the LIOC tomorrow. I told him that I would also attend the meeting, if required," he said.

The Minister said they should somehow procure the fuel to in order to maintain uninterrupted power supply until January 22.

He said on Sunday that the CEB was in possession of fuel adequate only till today and if they could not procure diesel, power cuts would then become inevitable. (Ajith Siriwardana)