PUCSL holds first-ever public hearing on countrywide power paralysis 

• Gathers oral evidence from CEB officials responsible in a 2.5 hour hearing 
• Next hearing on 7 March will seek information from public
• Experts believe public hearing will be a significant milestone for power sector to be accountable, transparent
• Determination of the public will not be limited to findings on socio-economic impacts, but also provide recommendations to avoid future repetitions of similar incidents
• The six-hour countrywide blackout on 3 December incurred economic loss over Rs. 1.5 b

The electricity regulator, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) held its first ever public hearing yesterday, on the countrywide blackout occurred on 3 December 2021, which incurred an economic loss of over Rs. 1.5 billion.

The consequences of the said blackout include the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) or the transmission licensee’s inability to serve a total energy demand of 9.65 GWh equivalent to an estimated economic cost of Rs. 1,505 million followed by additional losses due to the six-hour power failure. 

Around 20 officials from the Power Ministry and the CEB were summoned to the public hearing at the BMICH yesterday, which was also live streamed via social media for the public. 

The hearing was conducted by PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake and an expert committee, where they sought technical explanation and evidence from officials.

Following a near two and a half hour hearing from the technical and responsible officers of the CEB and the Power Ministry, the hearing was adjourned till 7 March. 

The next hearing on Monday, 7 March will seek evidence from the public. Thereafter, the determination of the public hearing will not be limited to findings on socio-economic impacts, but will also provide appropriate recommendations to avoid future repetitions of similar incidents. 

On 3 December last year, a countrywide six-hour power blackout during the daytime dealt a big blow to economic and household activities, as the Government faced severe public and private sector outcry over the failure to prevent it as well as to restore electricity in quick time.

The PUCSL held the public hearing as prescribed under Section 18 read with Section 15 of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 35 of 2002 and according to the procedure approved by the Commission on public hearing.

Industry experts hope the public hearing will be a significant milestone for the power sector, to be accountable and transparent. 

The Government initially attributed the blackout to a ‘failure in the transmission line’, but later suspected it was ‘sabotage’ and a proper investigation would be carried out. 

Trade unions however, denied the Government allegation, whilst the Police was also instructed to probe the power failure. The blackout also came amidst a work-to-rule campaign by trade unions though they called it off later in the day.