27 C
Colombo
Sunday, November 3, 2024

CEB must pay in USD if it needs fuel..! – Minister Gammanpila

- Advertisement -

Power Minister Gamini Lokuge has promised no power cuts till January 18, though the power regulator has given the nod for Ceylon Electricity Board to shed loads if there are capacity problems or fuel shortages.

Energy Minister Udaya Gammnapila had earlier asked for dollarized payments for fuel.

“Amidst the prevailing dollar crisis in the country, the CPC goes through serious difficulties to earn USD $400 million every month, to ensure the adequate supply of fuel stocks required for transportation and other industries,” Minister Gammanpila noted.

According to Minister Gammanpila, the Ministry of Energy has informed the CEB three months ago that if they require fuel for power generation, they should inform in advance.

“However, the CEB informed us on the 11th of January that they require Diesel from the 13th of January. We do not possess additional stocks of Diesel to supply on such short notice,” Minister Gammanpila pointed out.

He emphasized that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is ready to import and supply fuel if the Ceylon Electricity Board provides the necessary dollars, adding that the CEB can also directly import fuel by themselves.

RECENT ARTICLES