Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera noted that the statements of Ceylon Electricity Board (CBE) spokesperson don’t represent the official stance of the CEB or the Power and Energy Ministry.
While posting on social media, the Minister noted that statements made by CEB media spokesperson Assistant General Manager Noel Priyantha while participating in a television programme recently, cannot be accepted.
The lack of empathy and professionalism of Priyantha has resulted in making such statements, the Minister said.
The Minister emphasised that Priyantha’s statement neither reflects the views of the government nor the CEB. Anyhow the CEB management will take appropriate measures in this regard. The Minister said he agrees with persons who opposed the statements of Priyantha that the lack of empathy and less professionalism were the reason for such unacceptable sayings.
“I agree with the sentiments of many others including Water Supply Minister Jeevan Thondaman that the lack of empathy and professionalism in the statement of the CEB spokesperson have caused such a controversial situation,” Wijesekara added.
The CEB spokesperson while attending a television programme on a private channel on Tuesday, made several controversial remarks on the recent electricity tariff hike and several other decisions taken by the CEB and the Ministry. When asked about the recent electricity tariff hikes and the burden it has placed on consumers, Priyantha said the tariffs should have been increased gradually over the years. During the TV discussion Priyantha said that the children do not need electricity to study and kerosene oil lamps are sufficient to study.
“Why do you need electricity to study? I had been studying using kerosene oil lamps for about two years. Why do you need to iron clothes when you can wear linen clothing.” he questioned. While speaking on the lifestyle of the people in the estate sector, he said that those people live happily as everyone takes alcohol at 2pm. However, after realizing himself that his statements are controversial, Priyantha issued a public apology on Wednesday, expressing ‘deep regret’ if his comments were hurtful to any section of the population. Meanwhile CEB Assistant General Manager and media spokesman Noel Priyantha has tendered his resignation as the spokesperson of the CEB with immediate effect.
Minister Wijesekera in his X-handle (formerly Twitter) account mentioned that he was informed by the CEB management about Priyantha’s resignation.
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