Implementing power cuts without prior notice illegal: PUCSL

PUCSL calls for report from CEB

It is illegal to implement power cuts without prior approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) and informing the general public beforehand, PUCSL Director Corporate Communications Jayanat Herat told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

The PUCSL has written to Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) General Manager Eng.s.d.w.gunawardana on March 19 on the matter.

Mr. Herat said the Commission has received complaints from consumers all over the country regarding uninformed interruptions to electricity supply on March 18 and 19, 2019.

“The PUCSL has informed the CEB which holds the license for the supply of the electricity that it is required for them to submit a comprehensive report to the Commission on the rotational power cuts that took place from March 18, 2019 on or before April 02, 2019,” Mr. Herat said.

“The report should include causes for the power outages and the actions taken by the CEB to ensure the continuity of supply in future,” Mr. Herat said.

PUCSL has also stressed in the letter that in terms of Condition 30 (10) of the Electricity Transmission Licence No: EL/T/09-002, the CEB needs to obtain prior approval of the PUCSL for every scheduled interruption of electricity supply throughout the Island or major part of the Island irrespective of the cause of the same, other than the interruptions necessary due to maintenance in respect of which prior notice is given to the general public.

In terms of Condition 30 (1) of the Electricity Transmission Licence No: EL/T/09-002, the CEB shall jointly and severally as one of the Licensees ensure that the Licensees will together provide for and maintain a co-ordinated, efficient and economical system of electricity generation, transmission and distribution and supply within Sri Lanka at all times.

Mr. Herat said the CEB has violated condition 30 (1) and 30 (10) of the Electricity Transmission Licence No: EL/T /09-002, by conducting scheduled interruptions throughout the country, without giving prior notice to consumers or without obtaining prior approval of the Commission.

“Hence, the Commission requires the CEB to obtain the approval of the Commission, if it continues to conduct the rotational power cuts, providing the schedule of interruptions with the justification based on present generation and demand,” Mr. Herat added. Continuous attempts by the Daily Mirror to contact the CEB chairman failed.