The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans raised concerns regarding the indifferent approach of officials of the PUCSL to digitalize the system.  The said concerns were raised when the Committee took into consideration the Annual Report of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka 2020.

The Committee questioned why the PUCSL and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is falling behind in working towards digitalizing the system when the Parliament has requested for a dispatch audit and accurate data. The Committee was of the view that human intervention should be minimized when and the inaction to carry out directives given by Parliament is a disrespect to the Parliament. The Committee also expressed displeasure in the lack of action in digitalizing emphasizing that such inaction exists as it challenges the existing mafia within the system.

The Committee further stated that allowing such mafia only burdens the consumer and that the PUCSL officials should stand more firmly to rectify this situation.
 
The said was discussed when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans met in Parliament on 10.01.2024 under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Hon. Mahinanda Aluthgamage to consider five Annual Reports.

Accordingly, the Committee took into careful consideration the Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka 2022, the Annual Performance Report of the Department of Treasury Operations 2022, the Annual Report of the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development 2022, the Annual Report of the Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd 2017 including the Annual Report of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka 2020. The Annual Reports Considered were approved by the Committee.

In consideration of the Annual Report of the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, the Committee inquired the officials present regarding the mechanism to utilize waste water effectively. The Committee stated that many developed countries consist of effective wastewater management systems and that the implementation of such mechanisms should be looked into for the benefit of the nation.  

Members of Parliament Hon. Gunathilaka Rajapaksa, Hon. Madhura Withanage and government officials representing the respective institutions were present at the Committee meeting held.