Since power had been generated continuously using fuel due to the lack of rainfall within the catchment areas, the dues to be paid by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) too have increased to Rs. 18 billion by now, it has been revealed.

While speaking to AdaderanaBiz.lk, CEB charman W.B. Ganegala said that dues were outstanding from November last year.

“Only 20 percent of the required electricity is now being generated through hydro power. Nearly 75 percent is being generated through thermal power using fuel. This is very costly. This has been the main cause for the increased in CEB’s losses,” he added.

Since the CEB is subsidizing its charges to a section of the consumers it has added to the CEB’s losses.

Apart from 2010 and 2013, the CEB has always recorded an operational loss.