Saboteurs will not be allowed to disrupt energy sector - Patali

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said saboteurs will not be allowed to hamper the energy sector and the functions of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

The minister was addressing a media briefing at the Ministry auditorium yesterday.

“Vandals will never be be allowed to destroy the energy sector” he said.

Minister Ranawaka further said certain persons were levelling baseless allegations against the Norochcholai coal power plant for political gain.

The governments, which ruled the country during the period 1990 to 2005, had not taken any measures to establish power plants. Under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the present government has constructed three power plants after 2005.

Speaking on the power crisis, the minister said the present power crisis is a result of not constructing power plants in the country over 15 years. The idea of establishing a coal power plant was first mooted in the 1980’s. But due to political reasons, the idea of constructing coal power was not brought forward.

“It is not strange that technical failures are reported from power plants from time to time. It is common for any power plant. The Fukushima plant has not been in operation for more than one year. But, that plant is still being repaired. India had planned to produce 40,000 MW from coal power plants. However, India has failed to meet that target since India can generate only 20,000MW from its coal power plants.

That is because those power plants have technical errors. Economic and commercial activities in the country will not be disturbed by Power cuts” the minister said.