The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, before 1969 the power sector operated under two departments; on 2 November 1969 those were transformed into the Ceylon Electricity Board. Various governments tried to amend that 1969 Act but failed in practice. For decades, although the country’s physical conditions, population and needs changed, the law was not updated accordingly. To move from a lagging state to one that progresses with the world, we must reform not just the power sector but the whole state structure.

¶ 02 We have already initiated major reforms in education, focused primary healthcare in health, and are reshaping transport as a production-oriented, integrated system. Within that larger national reform agenda, we are transforming the entire energy sector, not just electricity — as part of building a developed national state.

¶ 03 We see some in the Opposition afflicted by chronic ailments. Like in the old “Doctor Honda Hitha” cartoon where “Chow Chow” always says “It cannot be done,” we hear the same refrain. Recently, when the US imposed tariffs of 44 percent on many countries, some in the Opposition mocked whether anyone could even call the White House. Within a month, through our leaders’ interventions, that tariff was reduced to 20 percent. We need not waste time replying to every “Chow Chow.” Our NPP Government acts with steady resolve.

¶ 04 Whose purpose is this reform? Our NPP Government operates with clear policy. President Anura Dissanayake leads the State; the Prime Minister leads the Government; expert committees guide each sector, including energy. Some claim individuals seek positions like NSO Chairman for personal gain. That is not how we operate. We do not mix personal agendas with national governance; we represent collective goals.

¶ 05 Opposition Members claimed they have already electrified the whole country. Electricity is not merely lighting a bulb. In rural areas there are voltage drops; power cuts can last days because three-phase lines are lacking and voltage is low. On islands like Analaitivu, Delft, and Nainativu, power still comes from diesel generators despite abundant wind and sun. For sixty years those who ruled failed to provide modern solutions. Therefore, this system must change to make Sri Lanka a developed state, meeting electricity needs fully.

¶ 06 A key aim here is tariff reduction — for households and industries. The Public Utilities Commission sets tariffs, but if costs are high, how can it cut tariffs? Hence we need a program to reduce costs, which requires legal changes.

¶ 07 Many skilled professionals have left the country. The CEB cadre requires over 1,150 engineers; now fewer than 750 are in place. Over 200 left in recent years. We must produce new experts like Wimalasurendra, and retain young talent. Norochcholai’s drawings and manuals are in Chinese; our youth are learning by painstaking effort. The Bill must create conditions to keep them here.

¶ 08 I also hold a Cabinet paper that sought to cut CEB staff from 26,000 to 12,000 in the past. Those who now shed crocodile tears once tried to halve the staff. We will not do that. We have secured jobs, enabled movement among five state companies, and provided a generous VRS option.

¶ 09 It was past governments that drove the CEB into losses. Ministers from different regions stuffed the CEB with their supporters. We will protect the workers and reform the law without harming any employee.

¶ 10 We say to the people: this Bill is for you, for nation-building, for lifting Sri Lanka to developed status, under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Government which opposes corruption. No citizen or institution will be harmed by this Bill. Thank you.