The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will continue to issue power cut schedules from Tuesday (7), based on the outcome of the proceedings of the Supreme Court case, a senior CEB official told The Sunday Morning. 

Accordingly, the CEB, as of yesterday (4), issued a schedule till Monday (6) and will revisit scheduling post court proceedings, the official said, adding that the CEB would continue to update the public through its website and via broadcast media on an agreed daily scheduling.

When asked about the schedule for Tuesday (7), the official said an announcement was likely to be made by mid-day pending the outcome of the ongoing case. 

However, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday (4) stated that the CEB’s power cut schedules for today (5) were illegal as it had not been granted permission by the regulator. 

The statement by the power regulator adds to the confusion surrounding power supply, with the public and industry at a loss on how to prepare for power cuts or organise their day around it.

PUCSL Chairperson Janaka Ratnayake told The Sunday Morning that the Judiciary must take action against the CEB on the matter, as the regulator had not approved the power cuts for yesterday and today.

“We have not approved the power cut schedule for 4 and 5 February. These are illegal power cuts. The courts must now take action,” he said, adding that the PUCSL had already taken steps in this regard. The tug-of-war between the utility provider and the regulator has left the public at a loss on whether they will be subjected to power outages or not.