President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stated that he completely rejects the statement made by the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) MMC Ferdinando before the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Committee regarding a wind power project.
The President has stated in a post on his Twitter account that he denies the allegation that he used his authority to award the Mannar wind power project to a specific person or institution.
“Re a statement made by the CEB Chairman at a COPE committee hearing regarding the award of a Wind Power Project in Mannar, I categorically deny authorization to award this project to any specific person or entity. I trust responsible communication in this regard will follow,” the President said.
The COPE questioned CEB officials when they were summoned before the COPE Committee regarding the government’s decision to allow Adani Group to generate renewable energy.
CEB Chairman at the COPE meeting said the President summoned him and told him to award the wind power project to the Adani Group as “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mod is pressing him (President Rajapaksa).”
COPE Chairman Prof. Charitha Herath questioned the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board and Parliamentarians Dr. Harsha de Silva and Patali Champika Ranawaka also joined the discussion.
Re a statement made by the #lka CEB Chairman at a COPE committee hearing regarding the award of a Wind Power Project in Mannar, I categorically deny authorisation to award this project to any specific person or entity. I trust responsible communication in this regard will follow.
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) June 11, 2022