The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today dismissed the claims of the Secretary to the Ministry of Power & Energy that the officials who participated in the recent discussion with the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) were coerced into agreeing to an uninterrupted supply of electricity until the end of the ongoing 2022 Advanced Level examination.

Calling a special media briefing today (Jan. 28), Janaka Ratnayake attributed the uninterrupted supply of power to the arbitrary conduct of the Power & Energy Minister who is unwilling to change his stance on the matter.

Ratnayake, who noted that no official was coerced at the HRCSL meeting, explained that the officials were only briefed about the legal background pertaining to the situation. He also took issue with an Additional Secretary to the Power & Energy Ministry making an appearance at the HRCSL when the secretary himself had been summoned to the meeting.

The PUCSL chief vowed to seek legal action against the CEB in the coming 2-3 days, if it fails to comply with the directives despite being instructed to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity until February 17. Legal action will be sought pursuant to Article 48 of Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009, headed.

The electricity sector regulator is of the view that the power interruptions should not take place until the conclusion of the exam, Ratnayake stressed, adding that the PUCSL has rejected the CEB’s request for power cuts to be imposed today as well.

He slammed the move to impose power cuts during the period in which the exam is being held as a violation of the rights of the students. It is the responsibility of the government to provide the candidates with the necessary facilities during the exam.

Ratnayake also mentioned that the PUCSL has reached out to the Attorney General to obtain his legal opinion with regard to the proposed electricity tariff revision. Accordingly, the Attorney General’s advice on the matter is expected to be received on Monday, he added, noting that the proposed tariff revision is against the provisions of the Electricity Act.