PUCSL requests urgent appointment of Power and Energy Minister

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to urgently appoint a Minister in charge of Power and Energy.

Following is the text of the letter sent by PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake (Pictured) to the President.

“There is a serious crisis in the power & energy sector at present because of the shortage of power supply due to the lack of fuel supply to generation plants & drained down hydro reservoirs. Thus, there is a forced limitation on electricity generation. Further the main issue highlighted at the island-wide protests upon the massive unrest surfacing out from the general public is the failure of the Government to meet the demand of electricity violating the fundamental rights of the 7 million consumers and over 21 million people.

As the advisor to the Government on the Electricity Industry [as empowered under section 17( c ) of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka  Act No. 35 of 2002 and under section 3 (a) of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009 as amended], this Commission wishes to bring to your attention that there is a dire need for an active ministerial portfolio in the Power and Energy sector and hence it is very essential that a Minister is appointed with suitable background, knowledge and capability to assist the respective institutions to resolve the present crisis and to build up the sustainability in the power and energy sector.

Therefore, as the regulator of the industry and accomplishing its obligations vested with it by the legislature to provide advice to the Government, the Commission hereby request you to appoint a suitable Cabinet Minister assigning the subject of Power and Energy with immediate effect.