The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has said that it will not approve any scheduled power cuts until February 17 in order to protect the rights of over 331,000 students sitting for the 2022 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination.

Accordingly, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake stated that any such power cuts imposed during this period will be considered unauthorized and illegal.

Earlier today (01 Feb.), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had requested the PUCSL permission to impose power cuts for 2 hours and 20 minutes today and tomorrow (02 Feb.) after the Water Management Secretariat has restricted the release of water from reservoirs for hydro power generation since the expected rainfall was not experienced.

PUCSL files Writ application
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has filed a writ application with the Court of Appeal against the CEB, seeking a court order preventing the power interruptions imposed during the GCE A/L examination.

In addition, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union has also filed a petition with the Supreme Court over the same matter, naming the CEB chairman, the secretary to the Power & Energy Ministry, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) chairman, the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) and several others as its respondents.