• Indo-SL Renewable Energy Working Group has 2nd mting.   

The Electricity Consumers’ Association alleged that splitting the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) into four entities will affect the CEB’s ability to maintain a monopoly in the electricity sector, and that it will in turn have an adverse impact on electricity consumers.

The Association’s Chairperson M.D.R. Athula further told the media that the fact that these four entities will operate as companies, of which shares can be sold later, may compound this issue as far as the CEB’s monopoly is concerned. 

He opined that this move taking place in a context where Sri Lanka has entered into agreements with India, including those concerning enhanced cooperation in the field of energy, is also concerning. 

“The Government has not disclosed the agreements that Sri Lanka entered into with India. Had the Government done that, we could understand whether India is involved in this move or not. It (a reference to the agreement) may include provisions to divide the CEB, turn it into companies with shares, and for India to purchase those shares and invade the energy sector.”

Moreover, Athula opined that the division of the CEB into four companies may result in electricity charges skyrocketing, as the cost of maintaining the four entities could be higher than running them under one institution.

Meanwhile, the second meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) on Renewable Energy was held virtually on Tuesday (23). The Indian delegation was led by the Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi and the Sri Lankan delegation was led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala. The two sides briefed each other on developments in the field of renewable energy, including solar, wind, and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen. The potential of ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ was also highlighted. Both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral energy ties, with a focus on affordable and sustainable energy.