Ravi Says Prevailing Power And Energy Crisis Can Be Resolved Before Mid-April: "Hot Climate Has Resulted In 15% Increase In Electricity Demand"

Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunnayake said the prevailing crisis in the power and energy sector could be resolved before mid-April. 

Addressing a gathering in Colombo, Karunanayake said the current hot climate has resulted in a 15% increase in the electricity demand, leading to an unanticipated shortage in power supply. 

"We don't have to hide that there is a shortage in supply. But there is no point in blaming the past. We have a plan to resolve the current crisis," the minister said while apologizing to the public for the inconvenience caused by constant electricity breakdowns. 

"We can overcome this problem if we start using electricity sparingly," the Minister added, likening his current ministry to a "land mine". 

However, he promised to resolve the issues in his ministry emulating former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka who led the final military operations against the LTTE bringing the three-decade-long war to an end. 

"I will not hand over the current issues in the power and energy ministry to my successor one day," the Minister added.