The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answers are as follows.

¶ 02 (a) (i) 708. (ii) There are not adequate employees.

¶ 03 Note: As per the approved cadre of the CEB, the total number of executive and non-executive employees required for Distribution Divisions 01, 02, 03 and 04 is 18,948. As at 2025.03.31, the number actually serving (permanent and temporary) in the four divisions is 16,159. Accordingly, there are 2,789 vacancies for Distribution Divisions 01-04. (iii) 708. (iv) No. (v) Engineer vacancies existing in regional electrical engineer offices: 93.

¶ 04 - Electrical engineers (required vs. in post as at 2025.03.31) and civil engineers: vacancies listed above.

¶ 05 (vi) Yes. (vii) As per Cabinet approval dated 2025.02.19, advertisements were published (including via the Lanka Government Procurement web portal), competitive examinations held and interviews conducted to recruit 60 Electrical Engineers, 07 Mechanical Engineers and 03 Civil Engineers to essential posts. Candidates have been selected for recruitment. However, due to the ongoing restructuring of the CEB and the plan for new recruitments to be made by successor companies, these recruitments have been temporarily suspended.

¶ 06 (b) (i) Sources of electricity generation and units generated (GWh):

¶ 07 - Major hydro (CEB): 2024 – 5,426.180; 2025 (up to May) – 2,349.771 - Thermal (oil) (CEB): 2024 – 1,570.570; 2025 (up to May) – 594.117 - Thermal (coal) (CEB): 2024 – 5,544.xxx; 2025 (up to May) – 3,22x.xxx (figures truncated in source) - Independent Power Producers (thermal): 2024 – 767.947; 2025 (up to May) – 373.512 - Mini/small hydro: 2024 – 1,473.223; 2025 (up to May) – 530.817 - Wind: 2024 – 256.554; 2025 (up to May) – 110.738 - Solar (rooftop/utility): 2024 – 866.554; 2025 (up to May) – 573.211 - Biomass (dendro/solid waste): 2024 – 13.983 (dendro), 68.458 (waste); 2025 (up to May) – 5.934 (dendro), 30.538 (waste) - Other renewables: 2024 – 409.027; 2025 (up to May) – 116.969

¶ 08 (ii) See above table for separate units. (iii) No. Under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, 2024, it had been proposed to unbundle the CEB into 12 companies, of which 7 were to be fully privatized and another up to 49 percent privatized. After the new Government assumed office, the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Act, No. 14 of 2025 changed this and action is being taken to establish 6 fully state-owned companies. Accordingly, the CEB will not be privatized. (iv) All employees will be assigned to four new companies. Those not wishing to be assigned may opt for the announced voluntary retirement schemes. The Government expects to retain all employees.

¶ 09 (c) (i) Companies under the CEB: Lanka Electricity Company (LECO), Sri Lanka Energies Company, Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd, etc.

¶ 10 LECO strategic programmes/projects: - Under Asian Development Bank financing: modernization of the medium-voltage distribution network in LECO areas. - To ensure continuity of supply and reduce outages in urban areas such as Kelaniya, Kotte, Nugegoda, and to enhance integration of solar power: strengthening LECO’s distribution systems and establishing 33 kV lines. - Upgrading 6.6/11 kV systems in Negombo and Kelaniya LECO areas to 33 kV and upgrading primary substations to 33 kV yard standards. - Gender equality and social programmes: train LECO’s women workforce; public awareness on safe and eco-friendly electricity use.

¶ 11 Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd: - Ensure uninterrupted supply of annual coal requirement for Lakvijaya Power Plant without delay.

¶ 12 Sri Lanka Energies Company: - Aluminium scrap recycling projects and several rooftop solar projects for the CEB.

¶ 13 [Non-executive officers: 111] (as per tabled data)

¶ 14 (ii) Not applicable here; details tabled where relevant. (iii) No. (iv) — (v) LECO coverage areas/branches: - Negombo Branch: Negombo Municipal Council, Katana Pradeshiya Sabha, Ja-Ela Municipal Council, Ja-Ela Pradeshiya Sabha, Katunayake-Seeduwa Urban Council - Kelaniya Branch: Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha, Peliyagoda Municipal Council, Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha, Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha - Kotte Branch: Part of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Municipal Council, Kolonnawa Municipal Council, Kotte-Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawe Pradeshiya Sabha - Nugegoda Branch: Part of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Municipal Council, Maharagama Municipal Council, Boralesgamuwa Municipal Council - Moratuwa Branch: Moratuwa Municipal Council, Panadura Municipal Council, Panadura Pradeshiya Sabha - Kalutara Branch: Kalutara Municipal Council, Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha, Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha, Beruwala Municipal Council, Beruwala Pradeshiya Sabha - Galle Branch: Galle Municipal Council, Hikkaduwa Municipal Council, Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha, Ambalangoda Municipal Council, Balapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha

¶ 15 (d) Not applicable.