The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition with the Supreme Court, seeking a court order directing the Ministry of Energy to expedite the process of generating electricity and to supply fuel to ensure continues supply of electricity.

The Finance Ministry, Minister of Power and Minister of Energy, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Central Bank Governor, the Ceylon Electricity Board and all other stakeholders of government institutions have been named as respondents of the petition.

In the petition, the PUCSL has submitted advice as far back from the year 2016, that was given to relevant authorities to take necessary steps to avoid the present crisis and none of the institutions has taken any steps in this regard, therefore that is the very reason that the present crisis has occurred.

In the petition, it was also stated that, due to the interruption of the electricity supply, the public is undergoing tremendous hardships and therefore the Public Utilities Commission has sought interim orders directing the Minister of Finance, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Governor of the Central Bank to allocate $200 Million to purchase fuel and also directing the relevant ministers and authorities to expedite the process of generating electricity and to supply fuel.

The Petition was filed through Attorney-at-Law G. G.Arulpragasam.