M.M.C.Ferdinando resigned from the post of the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday. Accordingly, former CEB Vice Chairman Nalinda Illangakoon was appointed as the new Chairman of the CEB.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said in a Twitter message that he accepted the resignation letter of Ferdinando yesterday. Ferdinando was at the centre of a controversy recently.
When the COPE summoned CEB officials on June 10 and questioned regarding the Government’s decision to award the Mannar Wind Power Project to the Adani Group of India, the CEB Chairman claimed that the President had told him to award the project to the Adani group as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was pressuring the President.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa categorically rejected the allegation on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the CEB Chairman made an unconditional apology and said he had made an erroneous statement as he was under mental stress. The CEB Chairman said he will withdraw his statement to the COPE.
In a statement on Sunday, Ferdinando said “In regard to the clarification made by me at the COPE meeting held on June 10 in replying to the allegation made against me on the proposed Mannar and Pooneryn Wind and Solar Project with AGEL to generate renewable energy of 500 MW, I explained the circumstances behind the issuance of my letter dated November 25, 2021.
“During this discussion I became so emotional due to pressures and unreasonable allegations levelled against me to issue this official letter of request. Therefore, due to unexpected pressure and emotions I was compelled without limitation to express the word “India agamathi balakarana bawa kiwwa” (stressed by the Indian Prime Minister) which is totally incorrect. Hence, I wish to withdraw the relevant statement and record my apology unconditionally.”
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