The new Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka says the new administration will creat

Monday, 19 January 2015 00:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The new Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka says the new administration will creates a “revolutionary change” in the energy sector within the next 100 days. Speaking to media after assuming duties Friday at the Petroleum Ministry, Minister Ranawaka said a new price formula for fuel and energy would be introduced soon. He said the Ministry would strengthen the functions of the Public Utility Commission and abolish the burden of taxes imposed on the energy and petroleum sectors in order to provide relief to the people.

Addressing the corruption in the two sectors, the Minister said since for a long time Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) were administered as two separate institutions, both institutions had been mismanaged and become inefficient. “Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Electricity Board (CEB) were largely under the control of outsiders. After the last presidential election we had to put our utmost effort to redeem our power and the oil sector from those racketeers,” the Minster said. He said under the new administration, the two institutions would be brought together under one management and the energy sectors would not be allowed to be controlled by any foreign elements. “We will not only commit ourselves to prevent corruption at the Ministry, but will also take necessary actions against the malpractices that have taken place in the past,” Minister Ranawaka said. As a first step, the Ministry will hand over these institutions to professional bodies such as workers union, and introduce a new formula for fuel and power, Minister Ranawaka said. He added that a formal oil exploration program in Mannar Basin will also be launched.