Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that despite the current dry weather conditions, the (CEB) will continue to provide electricity without power cuts.
It is expected that the generation of electricity can be raised to a certain level through the expectation of some rainfall in October. The Minister stated that plans have been made to meet the electricity demand from power plants owned by the Electricity Board and private power plants.
He stated this while addressing a news conference held at the Power and Energy Ministry yesterday.
Due to the prevailing dry weather conditions, the water level of Samanala Lake has decreased to 4% and hence it is no longer possible to release water to Udawalawa Reservoir or to generate electricity. Samanala Samanala Lake is drying up to the bottom of the reservoir.
Accordingly, from tomorrow, the generation of electricity from Samanala Lake reservoir will be completely stopped and the release of water to Udawalawa reservoir will also be stopped, said the officials in charge of the reservoir.
The Sinopec Company plans to start operations by September 20. Accordingly, 150 fuel filling stations are to be started under the company. The Minister also stated that contracts have been signed with 115 filling stations out of 150 by now.
Sinopec’s entry into Sri Lanka will help reduce pressure on Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves, and Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said the government expects two other international fuel operators to start operations by October and November.
“Reducing pressure on our foreign exchange with Sinopec’s entry will also help us increase fuel imports and strengthen the economy,” Minister Wijesekera told in press.
Australia’s United Petroleum and US firm RM Parks in collaboration with Shell are the other two companies that have received approval.
The entry of the new players will end a market duopoly of state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Lanka IOC, a unit of Indian Oil Corporation.
