Hon. Kumara Jayakody

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, we remain committed to cost control. Lower purchase prices reduce CEB costs. On exchange rate effects, post-revision conditions will be reconsidered early next year to avoid losses or windfalls; competitive tenders are yielding lower prices. Many rooftop systems recovered capital in about three years though earlier formulas assumed seven; we are correcting the formula to reflect reality, benefiting consumers.

¶ 02 On BESS, we began with 10-year guarantees as per market practice; with rapid technology advances we extended to 15 years in the latest tender and will consider longer terms as the programme matures. We must balance investor returns, consumer interests and system stability.

¶ 03 Regarding Cyclone “Ditwah,” the CEB incurred significant operational costs for urgent restoration without external assistance; crews were deployed rapidly under emergency controls.