Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena yesterday stated that the only alternative to the electricity problem is to amend the electricity bill, otherwise there will be long power cuts like before.
The minister said this in response to a media query regarding the increase in electricity bill attending the press conference to inform the decisions taken at this week’s Cabinet meeting held at the Government Information Department premises yesterday (24).
Minister Gunawardena said Rs.38 billion will have to be paid for coal to generate electricity during this month, and the monthly income is only Rs.35 billion, and it is not possible to bear the expenditure under a situation where the expenditure is more than the income.
The Minister said that the Electricity Board has now become a non-paying entity that owes money to the solar power and small hydro power plants as well as the Petroleum Corporation, and under such a situation, the commercial banks will not give loans to the board for the required payments.
When the media further asked the Minister whether it is not possible to provide electricity continuously during the time of Advanced Level examination, the Minister said that Rs.5 billion is needed to maintain electricity without cut-off. The minister said that it is not a cut in electricity and electricity will be cut for only two hours in the evening and at night. The minister said that there is nothing more that can be done, and if something can be done, the government will not delay it.
Add new comment