Electricity and the blunders of politicians

With the fall of the UNP government, the CEB once again brought this scheme to the notice of Minister Susil Premajayanth, who took a keen interest, and got the approval of the newly formed UPFA govenment, with a threat that if that was not accepted, he would resign. Unfortunately, he was assigned another Ministry, and the enthusiasm dropped with the present Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne taking over 10 months to release funds to the contractors.
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by G. A. D. Sirimal

(March 23, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is with disgust and anger that I hear political leaders and politicians of every hue lamenting over the plight of consumers who have to face a sharp increase in electricity tariff. To give vent to my feelings and for the information of readers (consumers), it is best to go back to the 1980s, so that the politicians could be reminded of what the future would be, if a lesson is not drawn from the past blunders of politicians.

It was in early 1980s that the energy generation plan of the CEB scientifically prepared to generate electricity at the lowest possible price. The plan was to have the first coal fired plant in 1996. To keep to this target, the Power and Energy Ministry, together with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), approached the Australian Government to undertake a study on suitable sites.

Here it should be mentioned with gratitude that the late Carlo Fernando, Civil Engineer and CEB Consultant, took a personal interest and visited every possible site in the sea coast. The first was to be constructed at Trincomalee.

A thorough study was undertaken by well known consultants, Black and Veach. A high-powered professional discussion was held to ensure that there would be no adverse effects to the environment, with President J.R. Jayewardene and eminent scientists Sir Arthur C. Clark, Dr. Kulasinghe, Prof. K.K.Y.W. Perera and several others present.

All were satisfied and the green light was given to go ahead, after clearing all objections. Unfortunately, terrorism reared its ugly head and the project was abandoned due to security reasons. The next best was Mawella. Here, the Southern Development Authority objected, as it had already started construction of a fisheries harbour.

The next was Norochcholai. When all investigations, designs, etc., were completed, the Bishop of Chilaw objected to the site as he feared that the Holy Shrine at Talawila, St. Anne’s, 12 kilomatres away, would be adversely affected. After numerous pleadings over four years, the Bishop consented, provided an independent foreign consultant was appointed to go into the matter.

Accordingly, the government conceded and a foreign consultant, Ramboll of Denmark, was appointed. After a very exhaustive study, the Bishop’s fears were allayed. However, the Bishop now turned his objection to environmental pollution, which too had been studied and recommendations made to arrest any pollution.

In the meantime, the Power and Energy Ministry, with the then Minister Karu Jayasuriya, carried out a vigorous campaign to educate the consumers by having discussions, seminars, workshops, etc. Here it should be mentioned that Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, the then honorary energy advisor to the UNP government, together with the CEB, carried out a very effective campaign.

The best was by the Institute of Engineers, where the Chief Guest was the then Minister Karu Jayasuriya. This seminar was attended by all sections of the community –business, professionals, chambers of commerce, and industries and also by ordinary consumers, falling into the category of ‘domestic.’

In one voice they requested the Minister to go ahead with the project as soon as possible. It is with disgust and sorrow that it has to be mentioned that Jayasuriya, at the last moment, after giving some frivolous excuses, ended by saying that the project would be abandoned on a matter of policy. Thus, that effort ended.

The outcome of this decision was opening the door to private sector to come out with the quick fix solution, by installing diesel generating plants to guzzle diesel, for which we have to pay the penalty. Had Jayasuriya forced the cabinet to accept the proposal then, in 2000 we would have had the 300 mg coal power plant at Norochcholai functioning now. The hidden reason was that the influence of the Church would reduce votes.

With the fall of the UNP government, the CEB once again brought this scheme to the notice of Minister Susil Premajayanth, who took a keen interest, and got the approval of the newly formed UPFA govenment, with a threat that if that was not accepted, he would resign. Unfortunately, he was assigned another Ministry, and the enthusiasm dropped with the present Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne taking over 10 months to release funds to the contractors.

However, the project is now under construction, at a slow pace and one wonders whether it could be completed by 2011 or 2012. In the meantime, the Minister seems to be very interested in setting up Natural Liquid Gas (NLG) plants, which were not in the generation plan of the CEB. As a layman, I am not too sure whether this would produce cheap electricity in comparison to coal, given the escalating prices of gas and diesel.

It is here that the people of this country earnestly request the professionals in this sector of the calibre of Dr. Mohan Munasinghe, Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, Dr. P. N. Fernando, to name a few, to come forward, voluntarily, and advise the government on whether the future generation plan should rest on NLG and not allow unqualified men to advice the Minister or allow the Minister to take his own decisions, which may be detrimental to the country. Politicians have failed us; let our professionals not fail this country.

As for bribery and corruption in the CEB and in general, going by news items and COPE findings for alleged misdeeds, naturally, officials too get involved when they have to support or carry out the orders or wishes of the politicians. That is the pathetic history of this vital utility sector – electricity – which is essential for social and economic development of this country. All governments since 1990 should accept their faults.

- Sri Lanka Guardian