Sarath Wijesinghe former Chair Consumer Affairs Authority, PC, Solicitor and President Ambassador’s Forum UK

Coal issue has gone bit too far and accusations have gone deeper even inside as it is such a lucrative consumer item. Coal was imported to run locomotives mainly the train and for industrial purposes in the past and currently as a main source of mass power/energy  to the entire country through ‘Lakwijaya’ Coal Plant, constructed as a necessity as diesel is so expensive but favored by the engineers and officials of the electricity board and business groups on energy sector who are ballooners made money from energy which is an important consumer item monopolized by the government and few companies. Citizen is used to modern life and traditional consumption from wood and other materials is now replaced by new power supply which is inevitable in abundance even in villages. Any governance is bound to go with the new trend out of shear demand and necessity.

Why Coal and why not electricity by solar or alternative energy which is freely and available in abundance?

The story we hear is that the electricity board and our system is not compatible and not ready to store and manage the electrify generate from solar  due to technical complexities, though the citizen and industries are willing to use solar power any time any amount, which the citizen is unable to understand as the governance had and has ample opportunity time resources and opportunity as promised to the nation for energy sector which is an important component to the consumer depending on the governance to supply continuous supply of energy as promised and expected. This is common for the domestic and industrial sector. Consumer and industries are discouraged to shift to solar system due to the incapacity on the part of governance leaving coal and diesel to be the only other source of energy out of which diesal is smelling of mass scale corruption and the media reports on purchase of coal is worrying according to continuous news items on contracts, shipments and business contacts and dealing of governance in charge of coal purchases.

Coal Porches and Shipments that claims to be corrupt

Citizen/consumer depends on hearsay, media and the statements of government sector who have promised to find thieves plundered the nation with promised to catch them and start new system of governance with no corruption, bribery nepotism favoritism and politicization. It is time for the Governance to come forward to meet critics and give viable answers on the accusations and the citizen do not appear to be convince on the coal deal and solar unreal which affects the consumer directly as power is a most important consumer required for the day-to-day life.

Alternate Energy

Alternate energy is very easy to introduce on new innovations. Gas is very expensive and consumes our foreign reserves earned with great difficulty. Ministry of industries must start a programm to introduce to innovate modern clay burners to be used with eminence of paddy (dahaiya) which is available in abundance and mini burners to be utilized on solar. Sometime back CAA introduced a campaign that did nit last which is unfortunate. Alternate energy is used in India and many Asian counter to be utilized in  domestic and industrial use. Why not Sri Lanka follow is the question the citizen can nt understand. Association of Sri Lankan Professional in UK some time ago organized a forum on alternate at the Organization of Professionals and it is time for them to come forward again for the benefit of the nation in need of the hour for their help

Way Forward

We need to plan a policy for energy long and short term with a set of innovates and relevant government departments, and strictly implement a transparent method of purchase and introduction of energy to the nation in the modern environments scientifically with long term plans out of policlinics and accusations to the past- but learning from the past as if not for ‘Lakwijaya ‘ coal plant the country would be in the dark today though it is not the best solution it serves the nation today. It is the duty of the governance to impose maximum sentences for bribery and corruption including inefficiency as a matter of urgency including the politicians who are talking shops and misleading the citizens. Coal thieves – if – must be brought to books and a clear explanation should be given by the governance as a matter of urgency on this controversy. Wijesinghesarath05@gmail.com0094766530166