The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has appointed a high-profile three member committee to carry out an independent investigation of the recent break down of Lakvijaya coal power plant at Norochcholai.

Former Attorney General and President Counsel, Shibly Aziz, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee with R.I. Senaratne, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at IESL College of Engineering and Professor Kapila Perera, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at University of Moratuwa appointed as committee members. 

The Investigation Team is required to investigate relevant technical and non-technical evidence/information/data that requires ascertaining the causes of the failure, examine the causes for the failure, analyze whether the failure could have been prevented and make recommendations and advices to prevent similar failures in future.

A failure of Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Station occurred at around 11.00 hrs on October 15 which resulted in power cuts up to one and a half hours island wide excluding greater Colombo.

“As the Electricity Regulator, PUCSL is obliged to ensure that a coordinated, efficient and economical system of electricity supply is provided and maintained throughout Sri Lanka at all times.” 

“Unexpected major failures in the generation plants have a significant negative impact on continuity of the supply,” the commission said in a statement.

Hence the new committee, appointed by PUCSL, will seek to identify the causes for the unforeseen failure and recommendations to prevent such failures in the future.