- Electricity Consumers’ Association claims 15% unjustified tariff hike wasn’t calculated per ‘reasonable cost’ concept
- To protest in the coming days
The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) stated that the latest increase in electricity tariffs by 15% is unjustified and would not have been possible if the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) had properly followed the concept of ‘reasonable cost’ in its calculations.
The PUCSL yesterday (12) granted approval for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to increase electricity tariffs by 15%.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, the ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that they strongly oppose the decision and are planning to launch public protests in the coming days. He accused the CEB of using manipulated data to justify the hike, and claimed that the decision had been taken under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The CEB used inaccurate figures to show inflated expenses. This hike was not made in the interest of the country or the public. It’s a decision pushed by the IMF. Even the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance had exerted pressure on the PUCSL to increase electricity tariffs in writing. This is totally against the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024." he alleged.
Dhammika further said that the promise made by the ruling National People's Power (NPP) Government to reduce tariffs by 33% has not been fulfiled, and that even the reliefs that could be provided in the current economic situation are not being granted. “The Government misled the public. Back then, this same NPP opposed the IMF. Now, they’ve joined hands with them to burden the people. The whole idea of ‘reasonable cost’ has been completely abandoned,” he charged.
The CEB had requested an 18.3% tariff increase from this month (June) to December of this year, saying that it was necessary to manage rising operational costs and pay off debts, including what it refers to as ‘legacy debt’ from previous borrowing. According to the CEB, even with the proposed increase, average rates would still be around 5.4% lower than they were at the beginning of the year.