PUCSL gives CEB 12 Feb. deadline to submit report on unapproved power interruptions

Friday, 7 February 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had until 12 February to submit a report on the unapproved power interruptions reported earlier this week from multiple areas in the country.

In a letter to CEB, dated 6 February and publicised by the Commission, the PUCSL stated: “As per the Power System Report for 3 February, submitted by the Transmission Licensee to the Commission, it is evident that load shedding had taken place from 10.45 hours to 17.02 hours on 3 February, in many parts of the island.”

According to a statement published by PUCSL on 4 February, complaints were made of power interruptions in areas like Wattala, Ja Ela, Kandana, Kelaniya, Boralesgamuwa, Nugegoda, and Hikkaduwa.

However, the Commission stated that the power interruptions occurred without prior notice to the public nor prior approval from the PUCSL, which is the regulator of the electricity sector in the country.

In the letter sent to CEB yesterday, PUCSL stated: “The Licensee has failed to obtain the approval of the Commission for such load shedding and thus had violated the said condition of the Transmission License that amounts to committing of an offense under the provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No 20 of 2009.”