Power cut in Jaffna peninsula to continue indefinitely

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 May 2010, 17:16 GMT]
Despite government publicity that all facilities have been restored to Jaffna peninsula the present power cut continues to be enforced in rotation and is likely to remain indefinitely due to shortage of electricity production in the peninsula, Sri Lanka Electricity Board (SLEB) Jaffna office sources said. The failure of the Chinese firm ‘Northern Power, which is alleged to be the shadow company of Basil Rajapakse, the brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse, that had entered into a contract with the government three years ago to supply electricity for the entire peninsula, is the basic cause for the shortage, the sources added.

Presently, power cut is being enforced two to three hours a night in a rotation system covering all parts of Jaffna peninsula.

Northern Power which had signed the contract three years back under which 30 MWs electricity are to be generated has been producing only 12 MWs since then.

Now, SLEB Jaffna generates 9 MWs while Agrico firm produces 15 MWs making a total of 36 MWs along with Northern Power.

3 to 4 MWs electricity are needed to meet the needs of the entire peninsula, Jaffna SLEB officials said.

The SLEB Jaffna authorities are hesitant to take legal action on Northern Power for not living up to the contract as they fear pressure from higher authorities as Northern Power enjoys the support of politically strong Basil Rajapakse, an official who wishes to remain anonymous said.