The Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) said that the failure to provide uninterrupted electricity to nearly three hundred and thirty-one thousand students who are sitting for the A-level examination, which is a crucial cut-off point in life, is a violation of their basic rights. The reason for this is not the incompetence of the Electricity Board but the arbitrary actions of the Minister of Power and Energy. Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman of PUCSL, said
Speaking at a press conference held today, the chairman said that the minister does not have a proper understanding in this regard and is not providing continuous electricity supply for the children due to his arbitrary attitude.
However, yesterday (27) the Public Utilities Commission stated that they cannot allow a power cut as requested by the Additional General Manager of Transmission of the Electricity Board, and if electricity is not continuously provided in the next two or three days as agreed, legal action will be taken against them.
The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, who further expressed his opinion, said:
“Recently, during the discussion held at the Human Rights Commission, where the Electricity Board, the officers of the Petroleum Corporation, and bank representatives participated, it was mentioned that the Petroleum Corporation has the necessary bulk naphtha and furnace (wood oil) needed to generate electricity at a lower cost. If the electricity board does not have the money to buy these, the banks agreed to provide the money on the basis of the agreement to settle the money within two months after the future rate revision. The decision of the banks to hold back the payments due to them was to facilitate the students who are sitting for the exam.
In such a situation, everyone agreed to provide electricity continuously until the 17th of February. The officials who came there were officers with good knowledge and understanding. But the decision taken there has been completely reversed today. The political authority is solely responsible for this situation. Due to the stubborn decision of this minister, it is not possible to fulfil the basic rights of the students.
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