CEB will not be privatised, says President

Wimal Premaratne

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured yesterday that he would not privatise the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

"My Government's aim is to free the CEB from the clutches of privatisation and make that a source of lessening the burden of the public," the President told a JVP delegation and its trade union leaders at Temple Trees.

The President reiterated the Government's intention to continue the CEB as a State venture and added that every step would be taken to minimise corruption and improve the efficiency of the CEB and tap foreign resources as funds to improve it. President Rajapaksa told the delegation that CEB privatisation was completely out under the proposed amendment.

He said he rejects the proposal to increase electricity rates and added an efficient and qualitative service will be provided to the consumer.

"It is the duty of a responsible government to give the best to her people," President Rajapaksa said. Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, Finance Deputy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and MPs Lal Kantha and Piyasiri Wijenayake along with JVP Trade Unions were also present.