By Himangi Jayasundere

Minister of Power and Energy, Karu Jayasuriya yesterday denied that there was any pressure on him over the appointment of a chairman to the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Answering a question at a press conference he said that the appointment would be made soon.

Asked whether there were pressures on him over the new appointment which has been overdue since former chairman of the CEB, M.Prelis tendered his resignation last month "there are no pressures as such" he answered.

He said that the CEB was being run ‘effectively’ by the board and that the Vice Chairman was currently acting Chairman. "Once these problems (inferring the power cuts) are over a chairman will be elected" he said.

According to sources Ms.Sumi Munasinghe was among those nominated for the post of CEB chairman.

Meanwhile the Minister yesterday said that Sri Lankan officials were currently holding discussions with World Bank officials in Washington for monetary assistance to improve Sri Lanka’s power and energy sector. He said that they were expecting to obtain a loan of Rs. 7 b to produce power through alternative energy sources in the private sector. Solar energy, wind power and micro hydro projects have been identified as alternative energy sources. According to him projects initiated with the loan are expected to generate about 10% of Sri Lanka’s energy requirements and generating about 150-200 MW.

Minister Jayasuriya said that measures were being taken to reserve water in the hydro reservoirs in future and save it for dry weather, thereby laying more emphasis on thermal generation.

He said that the September 11 attack on the US has been an eye-opener to the power sector to the fact that resorting to alternative forms of energy is important to survive in such situations where fuel and coal may not be available for power generation.

The Rs.7 b loan will be made available entirely to the private sector and private consumers will be extended a credit line through the DFCC bank to establish alternative power generating schemes through wind, solar energy and mini hydro power projects.

The Minister added that steps were being taken to extend electricity generation to the rural sector by increasing its current consumer population which amounts to just 50% of the country’s population to 75% .