CEB auditing: Ganegala refutes Costa’s claim

Vasu’s attempt to discuss power tariff hike at Cabinet meeting fails

by Shamindra Ferdinando-April 25, 2013

CEB Chairman W. B. Ganegala yesterday denied Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) chief, Dr. Jayatissa Costa’s allegation that internal auditing was almost non-existent at the CEB.

Meanwhile, government sources said that National Languages and Social Integration Minister and General Secretary of the Democratic Left Front (DLF) Vasudeva Nanayakkara had on Wednesday night had asked for a meeting of Cabinet of ministers to discuss the power hike but in vain.

Dr. Costa alleged that waste, corruption and irregularities were rampant at the CEB due to the absence of team of internal auditors. The PUCSL Chief claimed that there were only six internal auditors for 18,000 workers.

Ganegala told The Island that every effort was being made to properly manage his institution.

Head of the Internal Audit Branch Mrs. Priyanmali Banduthilaka yesterday told The Island that her section comprised 52 persons including two deputies and 18 Audit Assistants (AA), though there were vacancies for 24 AAs.

Responding to a query, Banduthilaka said in spite of constraints her branch was playing an important role. Asked whether her section worked with the Auditor General’s Department, Mrs. Banduthilaka said that the AG’s representatives operated separately. The AG’s Department team comprising about 15 personnel, too, operated at the CEB, the official said.The CEB and PUCSL have been on a collision course over the recent unprecedented increase in electricity tariff with the latter alleging that mismanagement of the State enterprise, too, had contributed to the current crisis.

Meanwhile, government sources alleged that the electricity revision hadn’t been discussed at the Cabinet, though Cabinet spokesman media minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Wednesday said that it was a collective decision.

The Cabinet had met at Temple Trees for about 40 minutes, sources said, adding that the issue had not been taken up as President Rajapaksa had another appointment.

Well informed sources said JHU heavyweight, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka had distributed a letter among members of parliament contradicting Power and Energy Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi’s claim that the latest tariff increase had been proposed by him during his tenure as the minister in charge of the power and energy.

Excise Dept. officials ban sale of liquor to women

By Dinouk Colombage-2013-04-26 Members of the Excise Department have reportedly been travelling to supermarkets and taverns around the city seeking to enforce a previously unenforced law, which prevents the sale of liquor to women. According to the Nawala Keells branch manager, Camella Balasuriya, two members of the Excise Department had visited the store recently. They had reprimanded the sales attendant at the liquor counter when she attempted to sell alcohol to a lady. According to the Excise Act, Section 11.2, it is prohibited for a tavern to sell alcohol to personnel in uniform, underage people, people who are under the influence of alcohol, and women. Balasuriya explained she will have to write a letter to the Excise Department clarifying Keells is not classified as a tavern and as such does not come under this law. However, Commissioner General of the Excise Department, D.G.M.V. Hapuarachchi, denied any knowledge of such a law. "No, there is no law preventing the sale of liquor to women. If an establishment wishes to do so, they may do so at their own discretion." When asked about the alleged actions of the excise officers, he responded he would investigate the claims.