Minister of Energy, Engineer Kumara Jayakody, extends his heartfelt condolences over the demise of technical assistant Janaka Priyantha, who served at the Sabaragamuwa Distribution Maintenance Division of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and passed away while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Embilipitiya Base Hospital after being injured in an accident during a maintenance operation in the Sewanagala area on the 25th.
A speedy recovery is wished for S. A. Ajith Kumara, Junior Technical Assistant, who was also injured in the accident and is still receiving treatment at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, and for D. H. Samantha Pushpakumara, Trainee Technician, who has been discharged after receiving treatment at Embilipitiya Hospital.
As soon as the Minister became aware of the accident, he instructed the relevant senior officials of the CEB to ensure that the injured parties receive the necessary treatment facilities and assistance. He also directed them to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and, to seek expertise and assistance from outside the CEB, if necessary.
The Minister has specifically adviced the relevant officers of the CEB to take all necessary actions to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and also to carry out a special inestigation in to all electricity towers currently owned by the CEB and, in addition, to review the current methodology used for testing the suitability of these towers.