Power cuts

Reference to recent media reports quoting the Power Minister makin g a request to ‘use electricity sparingly’, the Minister takes pride in announcing that the consumption has now decreased to 3200 units from 3600 to 3700 units.

Initially the power cuts commenced with the breakdown experienced in the Norochcholai plants; subsequently with the re-commissioning of this plant the public was informed that water levels of the hydropower reservoirs had reduced and power cuts will continue. The water levels did not go down suddenly but started dropping due to the failure of the monsoon.

It was the responsibility of the Minister to inform the public well in advance at least by January/ February to use electricity sparingly. All industries who had their own standby Generators could have commissioned same so that such facilities could reduce the burden on the national grid. This clearly shows the authorities concerned have been “sleeping” and not taken adequate precaution as there is no forward planning. Praying to God and asking for blessings at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is not the answer.

All sorts of promises are made to win the hearts of the public but implementation is left to be seen. How can the Minister promise that power cuts will not be done during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year? If arrangements are in hand to generate a minimum of 500MW to 600 MW why was action not taken to implement this additional power about a month or two ago. It's only when the public protest mounts, the authorities wake up from their ‘slumber” to implement various contingency plans. J.V.R. Dias Wattala.