The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer to the Question is as follows.

¶ 02 (a) (i) No. (ii) The Ministry is in the process of introducing several amendments to the Act. (iii) In order to establish a secure and sustainable energy sector, the required amendments to the Electricity Act have been identified. At the Cabinet meeting held on 2024.12.30, it was decided to appoint a Committee consisting of key stakeholders and experts in the energy sector to review the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024. Accordingly, the following Committee was appointed on 2025.01.03:

¶ 03 1. Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary, Ministry of Energy – Committee Chairman 2. Eng. Pubudu Niroshan Hedigalle, Director General, Office for Power Reforms – Committee Secretary 3. Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, Chairman, Ceylon Electricity Board – Member 4. Eng. Janaka Aluthge, Chairman, Lanka Electricity Pvt Ltd – Member 5. Prof. Athula Rajapakse, Professor, University of Manitoba – Member 6. Prof. Lilantha Samaranayake, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya – Member 7. Dr. Thushara Rathnayaka, University of Moratuwa – Member 8. Eng. Kosala Kamburadeniya, Elected President, Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka – Member 9. Dr. Indra Mahakalanda, University of Moratuwa – Member

¶ 04 The Committee has submitted its report on 2025.01.20. The proposed amendments were published on 2025.01.28 to obtain public comments, with time allowed until 2025.02.07 to submit views/proposals.

¶ 05 We have in fact extended the period by one week until 2025.02.14. Accordingly, submissions are accepted until that date.

¶ 06 In addition, the Ministry is obtaining the views of key institutions such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and Japan International Cooperation Agency on these amendments.

¶ 07 A copy of the Committee’s Terms of Reference is placed in the Library.

¶ 08 (b) Not applicable.