Former Parliamentarian of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Patali Champika Ranawaka on Wednesday (18) warned of a looming power crisis by August, citing alleged irregularities in coal procurement and flaws in the current electricity tariff structure.
Patali made these remarks following the discussion at the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) regarding the electricity pricing methodology previously submitted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which has since been restructured into six separate companies.
He said two key challenges threaten the power sector: global tensions in the Gulf affecting fuel and gas imports, and what he described as a government-created crisis through coal procurement outside standard tender procedures.
According to him, about 20% of the expected output from the coal plant is not being received, increasing reliance on costly fuel-based generation.
“If this trend continues, the country could face a deficit of 275 gigawatt-hours from coal power generation,” he said, adding that compensating this through fuel would require approximately 70 million litres of oil.
He said this would divert fuel equivalent to nearly 25 days of use by school transport, lorries and fishing vessels.
Former MP also criticised the tariff structure, alleging it places equal burden on high and low electricity users. “This effectively transfers the cost of inefficiencies and alleged corruption to the general public,” he said, calling it socially unjust.
He said concerns were raised with the PUCSL over a “regressive pricing mechanism” that shifts costs from high-usage consumers to those who use electricity sparingly.
Patali warned that without corrective measures, adverse weather and the rough sea season from 20 April could lead to severe power cuts across the country by August.
“The full responsibility for such a situation should be borne by the President,” he added. (NewsWire)