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Power Regulating Commission to function from October

by Rashomi Silva

The Power Regulating Commission which will regulate the operation of state owned companies and related power sector activities, will come into being in early October this year, Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya said.

A special gazette notification outlining in detail state principles and stands on restructuring programmes of the power sector will also be issued in April, the Minister told a meeting with trade union representatives of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Lanka Electricity Company (LECO) at the BMICH to educate them on the restructuring programme. Addressing the unions, Jayasuriya re-assured that the restructuring of the CEB will not pave way for privatisation. "The CEB will remain as a state own asset," he said.

Under the power sector restructuring programme, the CEB will be divided into three companies each entrusted with generation, distribution and transmission. The Minister said workers' rights and privileges will be safeguarded even more under the proposed companies. There will also be better prospects for carrier advancement.

A special commission has been appointed and a series of discussions between the reforms office manager and workers have been arranged to look into workers' grievances and to consider workers' proposals in carrying out reforms, Jayasuriya said,

"We have also organised discussions between employees and the reform office manager. A copy of the 'Restructuring Act' had also been given to the unions. No one will lose their jobs due to the restructuring," the Minister said.

Restructuring in the power sector is nothing new. China and India have undertaken power sector restructuring as it is vital for a developing nation.

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