introduction

Chapter 1 Industrial Training Report

1.1 Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)

1.1.1 Introduction

Ceylon Electricity Board is the government body of Sri Lanka for generation, transmission and

distribution of electricity for the local industrial and domestic consumption. Most of the electric

power demand of the country is fulfilled by CEB since it has vast coverage of service in all over

the island. The organization is mainly an engineering organization and its product is service type.

The service and the aim of the organization are illustrated from the vision and mission statements

of the organization.

1.1.2 Vision

Providing high quality service to all its consumers.

1.1.3 Mission

To provide reliable quality electrical power to the entire nation at internationally competitive

prices effectively and efficiently through a meaningful partnership with skilled and motivated

employees using appropriate state-of-the-art technology for the socio-economic development of

the country in an economically sustainable manner while meeting acceptable environment

standards and a satisfactory rate of return on investments.

1.1.4 Main Functions

1.1.4.1 GenerationUntil 1996 electrical power generation to satisfy the whole demand was done by Hydro and

Thermal power plants owned by CEB. After 1996 private parties also started to generate

electricity. The existing generation system is still predominantly owned by CEB and Independent

Power Producers (IPP s) give a valuable contribution to the system as well.CEB was able to

achieve an installed capacity of 1758MW by the end of the year 2009 by its own. To meet that

installed capacity CEB has 16 hydro power plants, 6 thermal power plants and 1 wind power

plant. Since this installed capacity is not adequate to meet the total demand of the country CEB

purchases power from the IPP s.

Department of Electrical Engineering University of Moratuwa


1.1.4.2 TransmissionCEB owns a good transmission network to transmit the electricity that generates in power plants

to grid sub stations.CEB uses 220kV and 132kV as its transmission voltages to reduce the power

loss. By the end of the year 2009 CEB has 349km length of 220kV overhead transmission lines,

1722km length of 132kV overhead transmission lines and 41km of 132kV underground

transmission lines. The power transmission network of CEB is provided in the Annex A1,1,1,4,2.

1.1.4.3 DistributionElectricity distribution means supply the electricity to the consumers. Majority of the electricity

distribution in Sri Lanka is done by CEB while 15% of that is done by LECO. Distribution

voltages of CEB are 33kV, 11kV and 400kV. In 2009 CEB has sold 8441GWh of electricity and

1037Gwh of them has been purchased by LECO.CEB distributes the electricity to the consumers

at a system frequency of 50Hz with a variation of 1%.

1.1.5 Organizational Structure

Ceylon Electricity Board is controlled under Ministry of Power and Energy. The Organizational

Structure of CEB as at March 2009 is provided in the Annex A2,1,1,5.

1.1.6 Usefulness to the Society

Although CEB making no profit it gives a huge contribution to make our living standard a better

one as well as to develop the industrial sector of the country by providing quality electricity in a

low cost. In 2009 only 34.7% of the total electricity consumption has been consumed for

domestic and religious purposes.

1.1.7 Weaknesses and Suggestions to improve performance

The major reason for the financial losses of CEB is political system in Sri Lanka. If all the

former governments had done their job correctly and established the power plants in suitable

time according to the long term generation plans CEB will not have to suffer with financial

losses. To meet the present electricity demand of the country CEB has to purchase and generate

power spending a high cost but has to sell them under low prices. Inefficiency and corruption of

the system also leads to make losses. Government should release the rules of environmental

issues when implementing the power plants and it will be helpful to complete the projects on

time.



1.2 Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Limited (LECO)

1.2.1 Introduction

Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Limited is a private limited liability Company registered under

the Companies Act No.17 of Sri Lanka in 1983 for Distribution of Electricity. LECO

commenced its operations by taking over distribution the electricity in Kotte Urban Council area

in 1984 to serve 12,000 customers. LECO is doing a buying and selling business. It purchases

power from Ceylon Electricity Board and distributed within some selected areas. Present

shareholders of LECO are CEB, Urban Development Authority, Government Treasury and four

Local Authorities. Currently LECO has spread its network to serve 500,000 customers and has a

work force of around 1500.

1.2.2 Vision

Enjoy being the light for lives of people through innovative eco-friendly business.

1.2.3 Mission

To provide the best energy solutions to the society through continuous innovations.


LECO governed area is divided in to seven branches and further to 25 Customer Service Centers

for efficient and effective service. All the branches are independent bodies centrally controlled

by the corporate management of LECO. Management Structure of LECO is provided in the

Annex A3,1,2,4.

1.2.5 Present Performance

Lanka Electricity Company’s major performance is through the customer satisfaction. LECO

believes that their prime objective is customer satisfaction though reliable and high quality

power supply. To meet that objective each customer service centre is equipped with 24 hour

maintenance team with the required equipment and facilities to attend any breakdown call within

20 to 30 minutes of time.



LECO is also going to implement Broadband over Power Line (BPL) technology shortly in their

network to provide communication services to customers.BPL is the technology by which the

electricity power lines are enabled with communication carrier for broadband communication.

This is planned to be provided as another value added service to the LECO customers.

1.2.6 Profitability and Usefulness to the society

Since LECO is the electricity distributor of 15% of total consumers in the country it doesn’t have

a straight competitor in the area of its operation. Even though it has monopoly power the

company cannot decide their tariff. But LECO which makes profit through buying and selling

LECO has been able to increase its profitability through decreasing energy loss of the system.

Energy loss has decreased from a considerable amount from 24% in 1984 to 6% at present.

Decreasing the energy loss always helped to increase profits of the company. Electricity sales in

2007 had grown to 1,099 GWh, with the assets worth over 9.5 billion brought total revenue of

Rs. 11,395 million. It was an increase of 5% of the energy sales and 19% of revenue compared to

year 2006. The overall system losses of 4.74% recorded in 2007 is a noteworthy achievement.

By distributing the electricity to 15 % of country’s electricity consumers LECO is doing an

admirable service to the nation. The company is always trying to give an optimum service. And

also LECO has introduced instant billing along with the computerized billing system in order to

improve billing, revenue collection and payments for customers’ convenience. As well as it

LECO always care a lot in increasing safety of both the consumers and the system.

1.2.7 Suggestions to improve performance

Since LECO purchases electricity power from CEB the profit is directly depends on the selling

price of an electricity unit. Therefore although the purchasing cost is high LECO have to sell the

electricity according to the regulations given by the government. Therefore to make a good profit

the company has to look towards minimize the power losses and increase the system efficiency.

To meet those objectives the communication system between the branches and the Distribution

Control Centre should be improved. As well as the interrelationship between minor workers and

managerial level should be taken to a good position as I felt the communication of ideas between

them is very less.



1.3 Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)

1.3.1 Introduction

The Sri Lanka Port Authority was established on the 1st August 1979 to control and administrate

the specified commercial ports in Sri Lanka such as Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee,

Kankasanthurai, and Point Pedru. And Port of Hambantota which is currently under construction

also administrated under Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Among all of above mentioned ports Port of

Colombo takes a very important place as it enjoys its geographical location of luxury of

proximity to the main East-West Shipping Route which is the prime attraction for shipping

lines.The main reason for the attraction is low cost of diversion and lesser time taken for the

diversion from the main shipping route. Therefore the Port of Colombo can be considered as the

South Asian Gateway to Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and Pacific

Countries. Availability of pure water and other services at a reasonable cost leads to stimulate the

selection. General plan of Colombo Port is provided in Annex A4,1,3,1.

1.3.2 Vision

To consolidate Sri Lanka's position as the premier maritime logistics centre of the Asian region.

1.3.3 Mission

To increase the profitability and customer base by providing excellent service and world-class

facilities.

1.3.4 Main Functions

Container Handling including Trans-shipments

Bulk handling of cargo

Pure water supplying to the vessels

Fuel supplying to the vessels




Sri Lanka Ports Authority is controlled under Ministry of Ports and Aviation. The organizational

structure of Colombo Port according to the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Division is

provided in the Annex A5,1,3,5.

1.3.6 Current Facilities & Performances

Capacity of 4.1 Million TEU’s.

07 Container Berths.

04 Feeder Berths

15M Dredged Depth.

26 Quay Cranes, which include 12 Super Post Panama Cranes.

75 Rubber Tired Gantries and 04 Rail Mounted Gantries.

260 Terminal Tractors and Trailers.

Container handling is the major revenue earning way of Port of Colombo

other than by providing other services. Port of Colombo has handled around 3 millions TEU s of

containers in year 2009.In year 2010 it hope to handle up to 4 millions TEU s of containers and it

has achieved over 2 millions of that in the first six months of this year. Now day’s lots of

container vessels are waiting everyday outside the harbor due to lack of availability of container

berths. Therefore to meet that excess demand an expansion project of Port of Colombo has been

begun and the proposed harbor will have 4 terminals. Currently up to 2km of the breakwater has

been finished under that project.

1.3.7 Usefulness to Sri Lanka and Suggestions to improve its performance

Colombo Port is one of the major points which earns millions of foreign currency for our

country. It earns a high profit although it has over 10000 employees. Therefore the operations in

Colombo Port can affect the country’s economy directly. And also it helps to increase the foreign

affairs of our country.

Although the Colombo Port earns a high profit its maintaining operations are very inefficient due

to excess number of employees as I observed. There are excess employees in most of workshops

who are doing almost nothing. As I suggest if the numbers of employees are decreased to an

adequate level it will be really helpful to increase its efficiency and achieve more profit.


introduction

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