New Amendments to Electricity Act, Under Review

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Power has announced plans to amend the Electricity Act.

Secretary to the Ministry, Professor Udayanga Hemapala, stated that a review has been initiated to identify necessary changes to the Act. 

The ministry plans to gather input from representatives of electricity sector trade unions regarding the proposed amendments.

The new amendments aim to ensure the Act provides for maximum efficiency and benefits to the country and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) without causing any harm.

Professor Hemapala emphasized that the President, who is also the Minister in charge of the subject, has instructed that the restructuring of the CEB be carried out in a manner beneficial to the country. The proposed amendments are expected to be approved by the new Parliament.

The Electricity Act, passed on June 6th this year, included provisions to divide the CEB into 12 entities and to streamline the workforce. However, CEB trade unions have strongly opposed these measures, claiming they are an attempt to privatize the CEB.