September 23, Colombo (LNW): Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa today (23) reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring an uninterrupted supply of electricity, stating that power outages will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Speaking at a media briefing, Dr Jayatissa defended the recent decision to cancel all leave for employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), following the President’s directive classifying electricity services as essential. He emphasised that this measure was necessary to maintain stability in the country’s power sector.
“The government cannot and will not permit power cuts,” he stated. “Electricity supply is now designated an essential public service. What we are saying is simple: if you’re employed in this sector, you are expected to report for duty. If, for any reason, someone cannot continue, there is a compensation process. But the work must go on. These reforms are essential for the country’s progress.”
Addressing further questions about the ongoing restructuring efforts at the CEB, Dr Jayatissa said the goal is to reduce operational inefficiencies and bring down overall costs, which could ultimately result in lower electricity bills for consumers.
He acknowledged the growing concerns around rising tariffs, saying, “Yes, we want to provide relief—not just for industrial investors, but also for households and ordinary consumers. The way the current system operates, a blanket increase in electricity rates creates a number of problems. We need to approach the issue in a more targeted way.”
According to Dr Jayatissa, part of the strategy involves reassessing the structure of the CEB itself. Rather than running the board as a single, centralised entity, the government is exploring the possibility of separating different components—such as generation, transmission, and distribution—into more streamlined, semi-independent units.
“By analysing each segment individually, we can understand where the inefficiencies lie, and where improvements can be made,” he said. “If managed correctly, this will not only reduce costs but also make the system more responsive and accountable.”
