CEB Will Be Stable Says Newly Appointed Power Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi
Shakila Ifham
March 5, 2022
Assuming duties as the Minister of Power, yesterday Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi assured that she would do her utmost in bringing back the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to a stable position.
She added: “Today we are facing a major power crisis in the country. His Excellency the President handed over this responsibility to me at this critical juncture with great confidence.”
She also said that there is no point in blaming the government for hiding our inefficiency.
She strongly believes that it is not blaming the people who caused a chaotic situation, but creating a situation where the people can live without a crisis.
Minister expressed these views while participating in a ceremony held at the Ministry premises yesterday after assuming duties as the new Minister of Power.
Speaking further Minister Wanniarachchi said, “In the past, when I was the Minister of Power and Energy, I was able to do that very successfully. When I took over as the Minister of Power and Energy, I had a huge debt of millions to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Due to the full support of the Ministry, the Electricity Board and other institutions.”
She also stressed that there were no power crises or strikes in that era. “We were also able to start projects like Broadlands, Uma Oya and I was able to complete more than 75 per cent of those projects when I resigned as Minister. Our greatest achievement is being able to provide electricity to about 98% of the people in this country, including in the war-torn north and east.”
Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Power , Hemantha Samarakoon, Secretary to the Ministry of State, M M C Ferdinando Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board were also present on the occasion
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