Government will always stand for the country’s energy sovereignty
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that the Government will always stand for the country’s energy sovereignty, making it clear that there is no requirement whatsoever to entrust the power sector to private institutions,PMD reported.
He noted that ensuring energy sovereignty is vital for Sri Lanka’s economic growth, national security and independence. What the Government seeks, he explained, is not privatisation but the elimination of inefficiencies within the existing institutional framework, with the aim of building a more effective and well-structured system.
The President made these remarks today (22) during a progress review meeting on the new reforms in the power sector, held at the Presidential Secretariat.
Members of the committee appointed to implement the reforms were present, together with directors of the newly established companies including the Electricity Distribution Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd, Electricity Generation Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and National System Operator (Pvt) Ltd.
In his address, Government has no requirement whatsoever to entrust the power sector to private institutions Dissanayake stressed the urgent need for a new institutional framework to drive efficiency and transformation in the power sector. He explained that the old structure was no longer adequate and that the necessity for change could not be denied. He assured participants that no existing positions or salary scales would be reduced during this transition and all employee rights would be fully safeguarded. Furthermore, all entitlements previously held under the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would be preserved within the new structure, while any outstanding issues specific to the CEB would be resolved prior to integration. He also underlined that energy independence would remain protected and that the sector would continue to be entirely state-owned.
The President pointed out that institutions exist not only for their employees but for the country and its people. If the new framework enables electricity needs to be met more efficiently, continuously, and at fair prices, it would represent a victory both for the Government and for employees. He reiterated that the Government is fully prepared to protect the rights of workers at every stage of the reform process.
What is taking place within the CEB, he explained, is simply the transformation of a long-standing institutional structure into a modern one. It is not a sale, not a transfer of state ownership, nor an abandonment of energy sovereignty, but rather a reflection of the global path of development.
The meeting also involved detailed discussions on the challenges and proposals arising from the reform process. President Dissanayake expressed his appreciation to committee members for their contributions. Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Prof. Udayanga Hemapala and a number of senior officials from the Ceylon Electricity Board were also present.
