It is reported that the CEB is preparing to purchase fuel directly from the Indian Oil Company (IOC) to meet the fuel shortage in the current power crisis.
Power and Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge says that the CEB will purchase fuel directly through IOC tomorrow (31st) and the day after tomorrow (1st).
He states that a decision will have to be taken tomorrow regarding the amount of oil required by the CEB for the next week.
Minister Lokuge says that a programme will be launched to obtain electricity from private power plants on a short term basis.
“At present, we are getting oil. From Monday we have to see how to get oil for next week. We have discussed this with IOC. What we are doing is to maintain the power supply without any disruption. That is what the President told us. Let the CEB work for that. The Petroleum Corporation, too, should act accordingly. In addition, the Petroleum Corporation has permitted us to import oil directly. We will discuss that as well. I think Indian Oil is trying to get us oil. We are working with the Ministry of Finance on this,” he added.
