Make electricity affordable - President

The Power and Energy Ministry is bound to provide electricity to the people at affordable rates and it should strive to give more prominence to what people actually need than think about profits, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka at the progress review meeting. Picture by Sudath Silva

The President was speaking at the progress review meeting of the Power and Energy Ministry.

“Electricity is an integral part of the people’s day-to-day life and it is an indispensable factor for the country’s development endeavour,” the President added. He added that the Power and Energy Ministry should carry out their duties more effectively and in a people-friendly manner.

The President said the Government drew up plans for the fulfillment of the country’s power and energy requirements soon after it came into power in 2005.

He said that his Government succeeded in re-starting a number of mega power generation projects which had been abandoned by previous governments to solve the country’s power crisis. “We should fulfil what is expected of us by the people. The Ministry officials should take every possible effort to fulfil what the people want regardless of their political, racial or religious affiliations,” he added.

President Rajapaksa said the Ministry officials should play a pioneering role in the country’s development. He said the Government liberated the country from the clutches of terrorists and a massive development drive is under way.

The President referring to the soaring fuel prices in the world market said that the Government is in the process of planning a mechanism which will help maintain fuel prices at concessionary rate.

He lauded the Ministry’s efforts in restoration of power supply in the Eastern Province soon after it was liberated from the terrorists’ clutches. President Rajapaksa added that the Power and Energy Ministry has faced unprecedented challenges.

He said the Ministry was able to win many such challenges due to the dynamic leadership of Minister Ranawaka and its dedicated workforce.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the Ministry is economically stable. The CEB has become an institution which do not record operational losses under the able leadership of Power and Energy Minister.