SL power supplier head resigns over controversial statements on Modi, Adani

Colombo:  The Chairman of Sri Lanka’s state-run electricity supplier, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), resigned on Monday after repeated controversial statements made on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka’s renewable energy project awarded to Adani Group.
CEB Chairman, M.M.C. Ferdinando handed over his resignation and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, in a Twitter message, said he accepted the resignation.
Last week, Ferdinando had stated to Parliament’s Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had told him that Indian Premier Modi had pressured him to award a wind power project to India’s Adani Group.
President Rajapaksa was quick to deny Fernando’s statement and said that he never gave authorisation to award a wind power project in Mannar to any person or any institution.
Issuing a statement, the President’s Media Division said: “Sri Lanka is currently in an acute shortage of power and President desires to expedite implementation of mega power projects as early as possible. However, no undue influence will be used in awarding such projects.” “Project proposals for large-scale renewable energy projects is limited, but special attention will be paid to the selection of institutions for the projects, which will be carried out strictly in accordance with the transparent and accountable system by the government of Sri Lanka,” the statement added.